Digital divide

In recent decades, the world has seen a series of technological advances that have implied profound social and cultural changes. Nowadays, information and communication technologies are an essential factor in the development of any country as they allow the exchange of knowledge, services, goods, among other advantages of great value. Unfortunately, not in all regions of the world is it possible to access the technological gadgets that arise every day, in a constant and accelerated way. This dividing line is known as the digital divide.

Related topics

Information society, knowledge society

What is the digital divide?

The term "digital divide" refers to the gap between those who use the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for their personal or professional needs and those who do not have access to them or simply do not have the necessary skills to make use of them.

The notion of the digital divide is generally associated with inequalities related to equipping a personal computer with Internet access, which often varies, for example, according to income level, geographical location and ethnic group.

About digital divide

The expression “digital divide” has its origin in the American expression “Digital Divide” that emerged in the late 90’s, in the United States. Specifically, this concept alludes to the differences that exist between individuals or social groups that have access to information and communications technologies and that are integrated into the so-called “information society” and those that are excluded from it because they do not have access to it or simply because they do not know how to use the technological tools that are part of it.

However, it is important to point out that the digital divide does not only exist between the most developed and developing countries. In the same country, there may be social groups that have the possibility of integrating into the “information society” while other groups remain on the margins and excluded from it. The digital divide can also be generational, between the youngest and the elderly, between the literate and the illiterate, or between urban and rural populations.

History of the digital divide

The expression has its origin in the Anglo-Saxon term “digital divide”, which was first used in 1995 during the administration of U.S. President Bill Clinton. The exact creator of this term is not known. On the one hand, it is said that it could be the British Simon Moores, who proposed the concept, while on the other hand, it is presumed that Lloyd Morrisset, president of the Markle Foundation, was the first to pronounce the term, to refer to the disparity that could arise in the United States between the “connected” and the “unconnected”.

Likewise, since the term emerged, it has been used extensively to refer to different types of disparity related to country characteristics, regions, communities, social groups and individuals. The concept has also been used to refer to telecommunication infrastructures in educational programs.

Types

The digital divide can take different forms and can be related at the same time to different factors as will be seen below:

• Access digital divide: this type of digital divide refers to social and economic inequalities linked to access to technological equipment and infrastructure. In recent years, new disparities have appeared, related to the ability to access broadband and unlimited connections.
• Usage divide: this is related to the digital divide caused by the use that individuals and social groups make of information and communication technologies.
• Use quality divide: it concerns the effectiveness of the uses of technologies. There are individuals who have the technical skills to access networks, but do not know how to take advantage of the potential of these resources.

Causes of the digital divide

• Cost: Although technological devices are becoming increasingly affordable, in many countries of the world, a large percentage of the population receives an income below the poverty line. As a result, they do not have Internet access at home.
• Lack of access to technological tools: This is related both to the type of computer used and to the software and connection speed to access the Internet.
• Lack of infrastructure: In some rural areas such as jungles, islands and mountain ranges, where there are few residents, the infrastructure necessary to provide the population with an Internet connection does not exist.
• Age: The generational difference also represents a variable in the issue of inequalities around the use of technological tools. As people grow older, the use of technologies becomes more and more complex. On the other hand, for digital natives, i.e. those who were born and grew up during this digital era, it is easier for them to use all these gadgets. On the other hand, seniors may feel fear or insecurity to access networks.
• Education: The level of education is a factor when it comes to the phenomenon of the digital divide since those with a high level of education can take advantage of the potential of technologies both at home and in the professional field.
• Censorship: Some countries impose restrictions on people’s access to information on the Internet. Clearly, this is another factor that only accentuates the digital divide.

Consequences of the digital divide

• On a commercial level, those companies that have not been integrated into the information society or have not done so effectively, have greater difficulties in conducting their negotiations and to take advantage of all the benefits of digital marketing. This obviously has a negative impact on their commercial growth.
• In the field of research, those who have the possibility of consulting the most recent information thanks to access to networks, have an advantage in comparison with those who are left out of the possibility of using technological tools.
• Millions of people are left out of the new ways of communicating and interacting with others and accessing information. Obviously, this represents a clear disadvantage compared to those who can take advantage of the potentialities of the information society.

Examples

Uruguay

Uruguay is an excellent example as a country that has managed to reduce the digital divide considerably in a short period of time. In 2006, only 1% of the poorest families had access to the Internet. After a decade, that figure has risen to 77%. This was possible thanks to the implementation of the One Laptop per Child model through the Ceibal Plan.

Argentina

According to statistics, Argentina turned out to be the year 2016, one of the countries with the smallest digital divide between men and women. This country has human resources that adapt easily to digital tools and this allows women to have a good position in the workplace because they can do work at a distance. However, it is important to note that technology in Argentina is quite expensive.

Chile

It is often said that Chile is the leading Latin American country in terms of Internet access. However, according to some statistics, less than half of Chilean families have fixed Internet access in their homes. This may be due to the fact that Internet services are expensive in this country.

Spain

Currently, according to statistics from the Spanish Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda, around five million Spaniards do not have access to the Internet. However, two satellites are scheduled to be launched in 2018 to allow rural regions to access the Internet at a speed of 30 megabytes and at a cost of 39.90 euros per month, a fact that will reduce the digital divide.