Digital Divide

                                        Digital Divide

The term ‘digital divide’ describes the fact that the world can be divided into people who do and people who don’t have access to and the capability to use modern information technology, such as the telephone, television, or the Internet.

According to Salinas(2003:131), digital divide refers to that disparity between individuals and/or communities who can use electronic information and communication tools, such as the internet, to better the quality of their lives and those who cannot

Effects of the Digital Divide:

1. Economic inequality: The digital divide creates economic inequality because those who have access to modern technology can easily collect valuable economical information.
2. Effect on education: It has an impact on education. Because a student who has internet access and a computer can acquire more valuable knowledge from the internet.
3. Democracy: The use of the Internet can lead to a healthier democracy, increased public participation in elections and decision-making processes.
4. Economic growth is affected by the digital divide because productivity improvements tend to be associated with the use of Information technologies and companies with these technologies may have an advantage and can compete better.
5. Social mobility: computers and computer networks are playing an increasingly important role in people’s learning, professional work, and career development.