The digital divide

As I have attempted to show, ICT has transformed many people’s lives and has had many positive affects upon them. Sadly, however, not everyone is able to benefit from the opportunities afforded by ‘the Information Age'. There are many reasons why this ‘division’ has appeared world-wide. It is a gulf which is visible in all local communities. The digital divide separates those who are connected to the digital revolution in ICTs and those who have no access to the benefits of the new technologies. It happens across international frontiers as well as within communities where people are separated by economic and knowledge barriers.

In this section I am going to provide a detailed description of three factors which contribute to the ‘divide’ both locally and globally and highlight some of the measures being taken to ‘bridge the gap.’ Those three factors will be:

• Knowledge
• Economics
• Geography

I am also going to attempt to assess the impact the divide is having on the world’s economy and how extensive the gap has become. Overall, I will endeavour to provide a clear picture of what, I suggest, is the current status of the digital divide.

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