Digital divide

Digital Divide becomes a new topic for discussions in society and even a target for political actions, when the UK introduces seven-point plan to tackle the issue. Digital Device refers to the fact that not everyone in this globe has the ability to benefit from the new economy and society, increasingly relying on the Internet to perform various transactions and use the WWW as primary source of information. The world’s population does not have equal opportunities when it comes to Computer and Internet access. Firstly it is because of economical situation of many countries. Some people might not have enough money to buy computer even after 20 years. Technology has gone a long way and the cheapest computers aren’t really that expensive nowadays. I think that it is possible to buy new or a bit used computer with few hundred euros, here in Finland. However, we must understand that poor people in the world are more than poor in the Finnish scale. Therefore, no poor family would buy computer and it would not make any sense to buy one. It is sad to say that not everyone can buy computer but that is the reality. Companies cannot start to give them away for free.

One factor that divides people into two on computer usage is the Usability Divide. Some people could not even use computer even if they had one. They might not have electricity of they cannot read. The literacy rate of the whole population is about 40% meaning that they cannot read of not too well. This is a huge obstacle for people who would like to use computer and access to Internet. The necessary service for Internet connection does not have global reach.

One more factor that divides people in this matter is Empowerment Divide. Computers and Internet are not easy to use and cannot be used without some basic knowledge. It is not possible to offer this knowledge to everyone. Indeed, if we imagine that everyone is possesing the broadband connection, the digital divide is here to stay. In order to exploit the full advantages the Internet bring, users have to posses not only basic literacy skills, but understand the possibilities the Internet brings. Consider farmers of handicrafts in, for example, African countries. Let’s imagine they have the high-speed Internet connection. In theory, the Internet connection will be extremely beneficial for them, as they can sell their products via the Internet, possibly to other countries. Even more, they – in theory – can explore their field of business deeply thought the Internet resources. However, in reality, these farmers will require a comprehensive training to perform basic operations, not to mention starting of the international business.

Overall, there are several reasons which cause digital divide. The first one is obvious: lack of technology due to disadvantageous geographical location of the region, overall poor economic development of the country, lack of financial resources to establish broadband connection in the region. In the case of pure technological problem of digital divide, the government should definitely intervene. The government can subsidise establishment of broadband connection in the areas which can be unprofitable due to low population rate, e.g. suburbs of towns or agricultural areas. Clearly, without subsides, the Internet providers will never establish broadband connections in unprofitable areas.

Similarly, there is a financial reason, when certain groups of consumers cannot afford to buy computers. It is very weak reason, as currently computers’ prices go down and virtually all can afford to buy at least netbook and the cheapest Internet connection, through, for example, saving money a period of time. However, in order to use the Internet and especially execute any financial transaction, users need credit/debit card. Here is yet another reason of digital divide: credit card and bank account. The possession of credit card clearly separates the whole population which uses the Internet. And the haves enjoy the benefits of the Internet, while the have-nots can use the Internet as the digital source of information. Moreover, continuing the idea with credit card, the level of income is the reason for digital divide. Customers with high income can have premium paid access to say, business journals and databases. In our knowledge-based society, those who posses better knowledge, especially in business, are ultimately winning over those who do not have access to “knowledge”.

Next cause of digital divide is usability. Sometimes people can not use the Internet due to very low literacy rate. Although, in order to exploit the greatest benefits of the Internet, the users have to have adequate knowledge of English language, as the most beneficial sites are in English or other major European languages. This problem concerns developing countries and could be solved only through significant changes in society. Sooner or later, the majority of developing countries will reach such level of economical development, when the major share of households will be able to afford high-speed Internet connection. Still, the underling problem is the society issues in countries where population lack comprehensive school education.

Finally, even though we eliminate the reasons of digital divide, there is still empowerment divide, when better-educated people can have an advantage over those, who does not posses knowledge. Naturally, people with higher education in the area of business can much more easily start business through the Internet, in comparison with those who posses only basic education. Unfortunately, even though we have broadband connection all over the world, people would use it differently and get the benefit of WWW unequally, because of difference in education, knowledge and financial resources available

To conclude, it is often said that Internet access should be a universal right. We think it should be that way. United Nations has done some work in order to make Internet as basic Human Right. Two countries in EU have already made Internet as Human Right in their country, Greece and Estonia. We think others should follow. We do not mean that they should just say that it is a Human Right. Countries should make sure that Internet is available cross the nations and everyone can have access to it. Of course it should be free of charge just that everyone could have the opportunity to have it.

To conclude, the Digital Divide includes the following issues, which simultaneously cause the Divide itself: technological divide (availability of computers and broadband connections, financial divide (level of income, possession of credit card), usability divide (whether people are trained to use computers properly) and empowerment divide (meaning that individuals can get different benefits from the Internet, depending on their education level). That means, digital divide will not transfer into “Digital Equality” in the nearest future.