Digital divide

Updated: 12/10/2023 by Computer Hope
Blue digital divide illustration.

The digital divide is the inequality between one or more groups in terms of access to, use of, or knowledge about information and communication technologies. The global digital divide refers to this inequality amongst the world's individual political and cultural entities or nations. Whether caused by an inability to purchase access to technology or a lack of education, digital divides are a measure of economic disparity.

Example of the digital divide

In 2020, COVID hit all areas of the world and helped give everyone a better understanding of the digital divide. In some parts of the world students and employees could learn and work remotely. However, there were other areas where students and workers had no Internet access, Internet access that was too slow, or they had no computer.

This digital divide gave a lot of people a huge disadvantage. Some students could not be taught because they could not connect remotely to school. Adults who could work remotely had to purchase a computer to work. However, because of the spike in demand for computers, many had difficulty getting one.

How to close the digital divide

To help close the digital divide, all the following must happen in all parts of the world.

  1. Improve Internet access by adding new infrastructure that provides everyone with affordable, consistent, high-speed Internet access.
  2. Require more digital literacy classes in schools and offer digital literacy programs for people of all ages.
  3. Offer subsidized or free computers to local families, schools, and community centers.
  4. Encourage and vote for government initiatives that focus on closing the digital divide.
  5. Support organizations that help close the digital divide.
  6. Support and invest in research and new products that help develop new technologies that make closing the digital divide easier, more effective, or cheaper.

Internet terms, Organizations