What is the digital divide?
The digital divide is the gap in access to, use of and benefits from ICT by income, age, region or disability. Scholars distinguish an access gap, a skills/use gap (Hargittai, 2002) and an outcome gap. Even in highly connected countries such as Korea, surveys show lower digital skills among older adults and people with disabilities, which matters when services such as kiosks and online public services become digital-only. Responses include skills training, accessible design and offline alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it only about access?
- No; skills and outcomes matter too.
- Who is most affected?
- Often older adults, people with disabilities and low-income or rural groups.
References
- van Dijk, J. A. G. M. (2020). The digital divide. Polity.
- Hargittai, E. (2002). Second-level digital divide: Differences in people’s online skills. First Monday, 7(4).
- 과학기술정보통신부·한국지능정보사회진흥원. (매년). 디지털정보격차 실태조사.