The Great Digital Divide

The Great Digital Divide

The digital divide is defined as the gap between the information ‘haves’, the information ‘have-lates’, and the information ‘have-nots’. This disparity has arguably persevered from as early as the advent of the Gutenberg printing press, and continues to be pervasive and to flourish in the present day. There are many individuals who commonly perceive the digital divide to be solely comprised of the disparity of access to computers and the Internet, but this is not the sole case. It is vitally important to recognize that the digital divide is not only comprised of an access inequality to computers and the Internet, but additionally encompasses the right of use to other telecommunications or technological devices; for instance, cellular telephones, satellites, and even spanning into basic cable services for the rather universal activity of television watching. In chronological order, the following expose will present a comprehensive consideration of the premises of the digital divide, the cohorts affected and stratified by the digital divide, and finally the notions or initiatives that have been taken in an effort to halt this ever-widening gap.

As aforementioned, in general, the digital divide consists of a disparity in access to technology. In more complex terminology, it is the abyss in access to technology tools and related learning opportunities, most commonly imposed by socioeconomic status, race, gender, and so forth (Digital Divide Network, 2002). Knowledgeable critics have typically sub-divided those affected by the digital divide into a triad of distinct assemblies; the ‘haves’, ‘have-lates’, and ‘have-nots’ (Globalization: The Reader, p. 81). ‘Haves’ include individuals w...

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