the dimension of digital divide

THE DIMENSIONS OF THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

Digital divide exists between those in urban areas and those in rural areas, between the educated and uneducated, between the socioeconomic groups, and globally, between the more industrial and less developed nations. It is the digital split , the social issue referring to the differing amount of information between those with the access to the internet especially broadband access. The term becomes popular among concerned parties, such as scholars, policy makers, and advocacy groups.

The term refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communication technology and those that do not have or have restricted access. It is the growing gap between the underprivileged members of the society specially the one living in rural areas, the poor, elderly and the handicapped portion of the population who do not have access to the computer or the internet.

The difference is not only determined by the access to internet but also by the access to information and communication technology(ICT) and to media that the difference segments of society can use. With the regard to the internet is ot one aspect. other factors such as quality of connection and relate services should be considered. In today’s world the most discussed issue is the availability of the service at an affordable cost and quality.

In digital divide there are some dimensions and they are as follows:

Democracy:some people think that the access to internet in a certain country is because the good democracy that country practices or they think it is because of a healthier in one way or another. The most ambitious visions are that of the increased are that of the participatory in elections and decision making process. If citizens are free to make their own decision that means they can be able to make their own choices concerning internet use.

Economic equality: some people think some developed countries aim to guarantee the access of internet fo their citizens because they also think internet access is a basic need for them. In developed countries things such as telephones are considered very important for security reasons, health criminal and other types of emergences might indeed be handled better if the person in trouble have access to the telephone. Other important fact seems to be that much vital information for peoples career, ci.il life, theft are increasingly provided by the internet. Even social welfare services are sometimes administered and offered electronically.

Economic growth: some people think development of information infrastructure and active use of it would be shortcut to economic growth to less developed nations. Information technology in general tends to associated with productivity improvement. The exploitation of the latest technology may give industries ofcertain countries a competitive advantage.

Social mobility: some people believe that computer and computer internet plays an increasingly great role in learning and their career, so that the education should include that of computing and use of internet. Without doing that the digital divide exists unfairly to the children in the lower socioeconomic status in order to provide equal opportunities.

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