Digital divide is a term that refers to the gap
between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications
technology, and those that don't or have restricted access.
This technology can include the telephone, television, personal computers and the Internet.
It is important to understand
what the digital divide represents, in order to help bridge
the gap by implementing national and global strategies that distribute
information and knowledge among the information rich and information poor more
evenly.
Why is the digital divide important?
Currently we live in a world where digital
technologies have invaded every aspect of our lives and changed the nature of
learning - how, where and when learning takes place - by making new kinds of
knowledge available. Within our contemporary world, if individuals have
limited or no access to or knowledge of digital technologies and the Internet,
then their capacity to fully contribute to, and benefit from society and the
economy is reduced.
