Digital Divide

While the information age has had an effect on many aspects of the world today, it has also introduced a divide between countries because of their economies, political ideologies and cultural preferences. However, within the countries of the world, a local divide can also be found. This division of communities and nations alike (in terms of the information age) is known as the digital divide.

The global divide

As mentioned above, there are a number of reasons why a global divide is apparent. The main reason would be the unequal economic statuses between all of the world’s countries. For example, rich countries such as the US, China and Russia have more access to computer technology and internet as their money allows them to invest in this. However, countries with less stable economies would be ‘behind’ in terms of computer access. The populations of these countries may have only started using basic internet technology whereas populations of richer countries are able to use the latest technology available. This is how there is a digital divide between rich and poor.

The world map according to internet usage

However, the global divide is also caused by the social and political beliefs of certain countries. For example, certain websites may be blocked in a particular country as those websites area associated with different political beliefs. If these websites are blocked, then the population of the country are less likely to consider any other political ideologies. Despite this, other countries may believe in ‘the freedom of speech’ and there is little internet censorship in these countries. The level of censorship is an effect of social and political beliefs held by countries across the world and represents another form of the global divide.

The effects of the social and political beliefs can also be linked to the global divide concerning cultural and geographical reasons. This means that the geographical location of a country as well as its culture can affect the accessibility of computer technology and the internet. For example, the location of some countries means that it is more difficult to access the internet compared to other countries where the internet can be accessed easily. The cultures of some countries also affect the accessibility of computer technology. An example of this would be countries with high internet usage such as Japan or the US would have accepted the internet as part of their cultures when it was first created in 1991. This shows that the geographical locations and cultures of countries is also responsible of the digital divide.

The local divide

Although there is a digital divide between countries, there is also a local divide between the communities in those countries. The economies of countries is also a reason for the local divide although the divide here is between rich and poor individuals. One main example of this would be the cost of a computer. Computers and internet are becoming more accessible and the number of users is rising (according to statistics, there was a 566.4% increase of world internet users between 2000 and 2012). The price of an average computer is also falling as computer technology becomes more commonplace. However, this price can still be considered expensive for some people as the average price ranges from $300 to $1,600.

Today, people are using other forms of technology to access the internet. These forms of technology include tablets, smartphones and laptops which can be bought for cheaper than the average desktop computer. These other forms such as tablets are also more convenient to use as well as cheaper than most desktop computers which helps people to avoid the issue of computer costs. Despite this, a significant local divide remains between the rich and poor individuals.

The unveiling of the ‘35 dollar computer’, the Aakash tablet was designed to be affordable for students in India

Another form of the local divide would be the urban – rural divide. This is the divide between those living in the richer cities and those living in the poorer rural areas. One significant example would be the urban – rural divide in China. Although China’s economy is growing, only the cities are affected by this growth. The rural areas of China remain poorer than city areas and the urban – rural gap is widening. The urban – rural divide would also affect the accessibility of computer technology and internet usage in China today. While those in the cities would benefit from the latest computer and internet technology, those living in the rural areas may not be able to access this same technology. The urban – rural divide also exists in other countries (such as the UK, India and France) and is another form of the local divide.

The recent advance in computer technology has also created an age divide which is another form of the local divide. Because of its recent advance, younger people who grew up with computer technology are considered to be more ‘computer literate’ than older people (although this may not be entirely true). However, some older people who grew up before the advance of internet may not understand its popularity or are simply avoiding it. Reasons for this would include fear of technology and no interest for technology. Despite this, some older people frequently use the internet and computer technology.

As the invention of the World Wide Web was only 22 years ago, younger people have lived through the advancing technology concerning computers, smartphones and tablets. Popular websites such as Facebook and YouTube form part of the daily lives of many young people today. This is because these websites are suited to the interests (such as social networking) of many young people. As these young people browse these websites frequently, some have naturally become more computer literate than other people. This therefore created another form of the local divide.

The increase in computer technology used in schools is one reason why younger people are sometimes considered more ‘computer literate’

Bridging the divide

As computer technology has advanced further, internet access has recently become more important in our world today. However, the digital divide means that not everyone can have access to the internet despite how important it may seem. This is why governments and organisations are working to give everyone access to computer technology and to ‘bridge the divide’

Along with food, water and medical equipment, computer technology is now being seen as a ‘necessity’ that some poorer countries need more of. Charities and organisations are also working towards providing those in poorer countries computers and other forms of technology. This is to allow everyone access to a computer and therefore bridge the global divide between richer and poorer countries.

A screenshot from close the gap.org, a charity that provides computers to areas in need and therefore helps to ‘bridge the divide’

However, there is also a keen interest to bridge the local divide as well. Companies such as Microsoft are also working towards bridging the local divide with schemes such as GetOnline@Home. These schemes sell cheap computers for those who wouldn’t be able to buy the normal computers costing at least $300. The scheme is also designed for charities and small businesses that may need cheap computer technology more than other people.

Governments across the world are also working in their own countries to ‘close the gap’. One example would be the Indian government working to bridge the urban – rural divide there. Other developing countries including China, Brazil and Russia are also working to close their own urban – rural divides. This is done by improving broadband, selling cheaper computers and introducing people to computer technology.

There have also been effects to introduce older people who have avoided it to computers and other forms of technology. The government schemes mentioned above are also suited to elderly who may not be able to afford the average computer. Outreach centres that teach older people about computer usage are also available as well as guides teaching the elderly about how to use a computer and the internet.

ICT outreach programs can help those who aren’t confident with computers and other forms of technology