The digital divide refers to unequal access to technology and the internet between groups. It exists between rich and poor countries, urban and rural areas, younger and older generations, and men and women. Several factors contribute to the digital divide, including socioeconomic barriers, lack of infrastructure in rural/poor areas, lack of digital skills, disabilities, and lack of content in local languages. Reducing the digital divide requires efforts like improving infrastructure, increasing digital literacy and education, developing inclusive technologies, and expanding affordable internet access.

1. The word digital divide is used to define an
economic difference between a group of people
where some have access to information, data and
technology and others don't. It is also used to
describe the knowledge gap between the young
and old generation.
Issues Surrounding Access
to the digital world include :
a Socio-economic Divide
a Divide in Infrastructure
a Divide in Content
a Gender Divide
a Skills Divide
the Universal Access Divide

2. Socio-economic Divide
• Technology has become more affordable and internet
access increased universal, however digital divide between
rich and poor countries still exists. The rich and educated
are still getting more digital access and resources than
others. Access fees that would make it harder for small
websites to reach their users

3. Divide in Infrastructure
• Due to restriction of infrastructure people in townships and rural areas
have to use their cell phones to access the Internet, its is expensive for
them and this adds to digital divide, access to WIFI is still restricted
especial in rural and township areas. Countries that are developed have
better, faster, up to stand and up to date infrastructure than that of
developing countries

4. Skills Divide
• Most people now might have access to
technology and the internet however most
of them also do not have the right or
appropriate skill. Skills are also affected by
lack of access, how do you attain a skill in
something that you cant even access

5. Universal Access Divide
• People with physical disabilities are usually side-lined
when it comes to gaining access, this is caused by lack of
software and hardware that they need in order to gain
access. An example would be a blind person working for a
helpdesk however software used is outdated and doesn’t
coordinate with other systems

6. Gender Divide
Inequality in access to the use of technology can result from
discrimination in society that restrict women’s access to
technology directly or indirectly through the gender wage
gap, unpaid work and care and irregular and inadequate
access to education.

7. Divide in Content
• English is still the biggest leader in the web

8. Ramifications of Digital Divide
In the past digital divide referred to basic access to computers however
now it includes lack of access to the Internet. Digital divide is affected by
different issues such as limited access in different parts of the world
especially under developed countries. People in those countries cannot
afford to get access as its not a priority to them, data is expensive and
buying a garget that is compatible is even more expensive. This leads to
poor economic growth technologically and people will be left in the dark
about what is happening around the world. Digital divide also affects
school children as they are omitted from e- learning, they cannot use the
web as a source of information therefore rely on outdated magazines and
newspapers, also the lack of knowledge and understanding of the
technology. Digital divide also affects business as disadvantaged countries
cannot use e-commerce due to lack of access, business doesn’t come easy
to them as most things are outdated and their companies cannot compete
on the global market.

9. Assisting to the government to solve the
issues around access
• Creating usable e-government tools, regardless of the level of education
websites are very complicated and unfriendly both in access and content
• International collaboration, together with provision of means of
implementation, would take us one step further in bridging the digital divide.
• Ensuring affordable broadband2 access
• New technology could provide easer to use devices such as computers and
mobile communication
• Diminishing the digital divide between the young and elderly, women and men,
the illiterate and the educated, or even between less developed regions and
countries
• International, national and regional cooperation, harmonization of the legal
framework and regulation, ensuring a minimal package of interconnected and
interoperable e-services and promoting ICT skills and digital literacy in a non-
discriminative manner.
• Educating and preparing the population of less-developed regions for the
Information Society and encouraging e-readiness.

10. • Running pilot e-services in less-developed regions together with the proper technical
assistance.
• Developing e-learning and suitable ICT content.
• Developing e-participation and the inclusion of various social categories in
policymaking and decision making, even by using new media technologies, such as
social networks.
• Usage of mobile communication as infrastructure for the dissemination of e-services.
• Increasing the transparency in decision making and budget spending by
implementing e-services.
• Involving the citizens in all aspects of local and national public administration
processes.
• Increasing the quality of life in all its aspects through better e-services and access to
knowledge.

11. References
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-
wellness/2012/11/12/the-totally-blind-unable-perceive-
light-are-often-afflicted-with-rare-sleep-
disorder/ELcbAKFsLy1bFRrDaKDWmM/story.html
http://mediashift.org/2014/10/how-journalism-schools-
can-address-the-gender-gap/
http://webfoundation.org/2016/10/digging-into-data-on-
the-gender-digital-divide/
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2014/07/net-neutrality-and-
global-digital-divide
http://pedl.cepr.org/content/urban-
geographyentrepreneurship-and-formality-poor-countries-2
http://eph-network.eu/all-cases-list/eph-rail/