The document discusses the digital divide, which is the gap in computer and internet use across different social groups. It identifies several key factors that contribute to the digital divide, including lack of access, lack of digital skills, and lack of opportunities for usage. The document also presents statistics showing disparities in internet and broadband use across demographics in the US such as by age, income level, disability status, race/ethnicity, and community type. On a global scale, factors like economic development, infrastructure, and human capital are identified as influencing the digital divide between developed and developing nations.

1. Y490 Politics of the Internet September 20, 2011

7. Demographic Group Internet Use 1 Use of Broadband at Home 6 Age 􀂃 Americans 65 and over 42% 30% 􀂃 50-64 79% 61% Education Attainment 􀂃 high school diploma 69% 52% 􀂃 less than a high school diplomas 50% -- Disability 􀂃 Americans with disabilities 38% 2,4 -- Household Income 􀂃 less than $30,000 annual income 60% -- 􀂃 $20,000-$30,000 53% 􀂃 less than $20,000 annual income 35% Race/Ethnicity 􀂃 Latinos in the US 56% 5 -- 􀂃 Spanish-dominant Latinos in the US 32% 5 -- 􀂃 African Americans 67% 46% Community Type 􀂃 Rural 65% 46% US Digital Divide Statistics, 2009

9. Map of Global Digital Divide

13. Sources: World Development Report, 2006 and 2007. Computer Use (per 100 people) Internet Use (per 100 people) Developing Countries 2.5 2.6 Least Developed Countries 0.3 0.2 Arab States 2.1 1.6 East Asia and the Pacific 3.3 4.1 Latin America and the Caribbean 5.9 4.9 South Asia 0.8 0.6 Sub-Saharan Africa 1.2 0.8 Central & Eastern Europe & CIS 5.5 4.3 OECD 36.3 33.2 High-income OECD 43.7 40

14. Telephone Lines

15. Mobile Telephones

16. Internet Users

18. Broadband/Dialup Gaps