The Digital Divide: An Introduction

The last decade of the 20th century saw an explosion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) across the globe. Since then, ICTs have radically changed the way people interact, communicate, conduct their businesses and have opened doorways to information and entertainment at the click of a mouse. The personal computer, the Internet and the mobile phone that comprise the core of ICTs have revolutionized life in a rapidly globalizing world bringing huge benefits to millions of users. Yet, millions of people have either no access to ICTs or are ill-equipped to use them. This causes a ‘digital divide’ or a gap between those who have access to ICTs and those who do not. This divide opens up opportunities for upward economic and social mobility for the poor and the marginalized. This book provides perspectives on the nature and extent of the digital divide and describes the tools and approaches adopted to bridge it. It also contains case studies on efforts made to bridge the digital divide in different parts of the world.