What Are the Causes of Digital Divide?
In the last few years, technology has changed a lot, and it continues to improve and bring many benefits to modern life. Unfortunately, a lot of people have been left behind in the process. The Digital Divide is a term coined to describe the increasing social inequality created by increasing reliance on technology, the Internet, and related developments.
Before tackling this growing problem, it is important to understand why these inequalities exist at their core. Setting the foundation straight will help close the technology gap and give individuals and families opportunities that all should have equally.
Age-Related Issues
Every new generation has lived in a fully connected and digital world. It is very rare for children, teens, and young adults below the age of thirty to avoid or not have access to the Internet or technology. On the other hand, statistics for people over the age of sixty-five show that 44 percent have no access or do not use it. This generally comes down to poor education about its benefits and use and lifestyle situations that do not necessitate connectivity.
Socioeconomic Factors
People with more money have more access to technology and the Internet. Those who have achieved higher educational levels obviously have more knowledge about its use and benefits. The digital divide mimics the divisions caused by income, education, and social standing all around the world. It is intrinsically linked to these gaps in all socioeconomic factors. These gaps in access only serve to expand socioeconomic gaps and inequalities across the board.
Geographic Causes
As omnipresent as the Internet seems to be these days, there are many locations in the US and around the world that have no or limited high-speed access at all. Urban cities have full coverage. Most suburbs enjoy ready access. Rural areas are much less likely to offer digital services to all residents. Solutions to this specific problem must overcome both geographic and accessibility issues and financial ones.
Racial, Cultural, and Language
Unfortunately, many of the above-mentioned issues that affect access to the Internet and technology occur along racial, cultural, and language lines. Again, this matches most discrepancies like the wage gap, access to high-level education and healthcare, and even health-related environmental factors. For example, families who speak primarily Spanish or another non-English language at home are less likely to use online resources because many of them are not accessible in a format they can understand fully.
A small part of the digital divide exists because some people are simply not interested in plugging in to the Internet. Either they do not know its benefits or they prefer a different type of lifestyle. This is the only reason that does not need a definitive solution. While education about the full potential of the Internet and advanced technology helps, it is still not an essential tool that everyone must have if they choose not to.
