"The information revolution has brought rapid transformation in the
economies of many industrialized countries, and sweeping promises of a
better quality of life for all. However, people living in the vast
majority of other countries have been left untouched and unimpressed by
this 'revolution' and its promises, since it has failed to improve
their lives." [ 1 ]
Within the boundaries of these countries, the promise of having access
to internet resources have been mostly to the ones who have the means.
What has been considered a technical tool for technical people are now
considered necessary resource. With all the information stored, be they
scientific, economic or political in content, access to these resources
must be provided at all levels.
One may ask: "What the heck does it have to do with me? Why should I be
aware of it?"
What Is The Digital Divide?
A good definition of the Digital Divide is best described in terms of
access to electronic resources. There is a good definition of it and
is shown below.
Simply put, "the digital divide" means that between countries and
between different groups of people within countries, there is a wide
division between those who have real access to information and
communications technology and are using it effectively, and those who
don't. [ 2
]
Basically, access to electronic resources start with having electronic
devices. And these devices can either be personal or community owned,
depending on location. Most often, these devices are personally owned
by mostly those who are financially capable. Leaving the others to
either go for shared or completely just forget it.
Global Perspective
When the internet exploded in the 90's. The internet became one of the
primary source of information access. From its acceptance, a lot of
people from all walks of life started building information structures
on top of it. As a result, with all the information that were built,
devices used to access these information were elevated to the level of
a 'must have.'
With all these constructions, more and more people went and browsed the
internet. A quick information below show how many people connect to the
internet.
There are an estimated 429 million people online globally, but
even this staggering number is small when considered in context.
For example, of those 429 million, fully 41% are in North America.
Also, 429 million represents only 6% of the world's entire
population. Other facts:
- The United States has more computers than the rest of the world
combined
When assessed by region, Internet use is dominated by North Americans:
- 41% of the global online population is in the United States &
Canada
- 27% of the online population lives in Europe, the Middle East and
Africa
(25% of European Homes are online)
- 20% of the online population logs on from Asia Pacific
(33% of all Asian Homes are online)
- Only 4% of the world's online population are in South America
[ 3 ]
Who's Not Online
Not everybody went and browsed the Net though. There were people, those
who were be considered not impressed or found it useful. And there were
those who simply didn't have the necessary means of getting access.
Results from a study shown below reveal interesting numbers.
The majority of adults without Internet access say they are likely to
stay away from the Internet. A third of non-users (32%) say they
definitely will not get Internet access. Another 25% of non-Internet
users say they probably will not venture online. Specifically, Pew
found:
- Half the adults in America do not have Internet access and 57% of
those are not interested in going online.
- 32% of those without Internet access now say they definitely will
not get Internet access. That comes to about 31 million Americans.
- Another 25% of non-Internet users say they probably will not
venture online.
- 12% of those without Internet access say that they definitely will
go online.
- 29% of non-Internet users say they probably will get Internet
access.
- In contrast a substantial majority of those under 30 who say they
plan to get access, seniors who are not online show little inclination
of going online. The expense of going online still looms as a major
issue for them.
[4]
There are several facts that can lifted from it and one of it was the
issue of cost of going online. It is clear though that access to the
internet means an electronic device connected to the Web will incur
some cost. If cost is the primary determinant, a resulting class
structure will mostly like form around it, those who can and those who
cannot, called the less fortunates.
To be on the less fortunate side of the divide means
that there is less opportunity to take part in our
new information-based economy, in which many more
jobs will be related to computers. It also means that
there is less opportunity to take part in