DIGITAL DIVIDE

DIGITAL DIVIDE

Is the situation where by there is a gap between those who use communication technologies such as internet and those who do not have access to it. Interaction between human and computers have greatly increased as we embark on the 21^st century. The ability to access computers and internet has become increasingly important immerse oneself in the economic, political and social aspect of not just America but of the world. However not everyone have access to this technology. It is a term that refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communication technology and those that don’t or have restricted access. This technology can include the telephone, television, personal computers and the internet.

Before the late 20^th century digital divide referred to the gap between people who had access to telephones and those who hadn’t .after the 1990s the term began to change and began to be used mainly to describe the split between those with an without internet access particular broad band. The digital divide exists between those in cities and those in rural areas mainly between the educated and uneducated, between the socio  economic groups. And globally between among the population with some access to technology. The digital divide can be an evident form of lower performance computers, lower speed wireless connections, lower priced connections such as dialup and limited access to subscription based content.

Others say the digital divide or the digital split is the social issue referring to differing amount information between those who have access to the internet (especially the broadband access) and those who do not have access. The term become popular among concerned parties such as scholars policy makers and advocacy groups I the late 1990s. the idea of digital divide is the gap between the under privileged members of the society especially the poor, rural elderly and handicapped potion of the population who do not have access to computers or the internet and wealthy, middle class and the youth living in some urban areas who have access.

Most people think of the digital divide as the gap between people can connect to the internet and those who cannot. It is not just about lack of affordable connection, it also involve the lack of computer equipment and necessary training to use it effectively.  Digital inclusion is the one the most important social justice issue of the today’s world.  Digital divide is the socioeconomic and other disparities between those people who have opportunities and skill enabling them to benefit from digital resources especially the internet and those who do have opportunities and skills.

Conclusion: broadly speaking the difference is not necessarily determined by the access of the internet but by the access to information and communication technologies (ICT) and the media that different segment of the society can use. With regard to the internet the access is only on one aspect. Other factors such quality of connection and related services should be considered. What matter is the availability of the access at an affordable cost and quality.

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