The Digital Divide

The digital divide is not simply about who owns a computer. It is the gap that emerges from the uneven distribution of opportunities created by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based development. This gap exists because the benefits of ICT are not spread equally across the globe.

Economic, political, and social differences between countries are wide-ranging. The deciding factor in whether a country can bridge this gap is how quickly it can provide ICT access and its benefits to its citizens. Developed countries, in general, have surged forward in this regard, while developing countries have lagged behind. This global disparity is what is known as the digital divide.