The Digital Divide

The digital divide is a relatively new concept which has been discussed over recent years and is concerned with the perceived gap between those who have access to the latest information technologies and those who do not. 

Due to our society now being referred to as the ‘Information Age’, in which information plays an essential part in our everyday lives, it is common knowledge that those who do not have access or the ability to use information technology (i.e. the internet) and at a huge disadvantage to those who do.

As a result these individuals are considered ‘divided’ from those who are digitally able. 

One of the ways in which we have tried to eliminate this divide, is through the introduction of Superfast Broadband. With a large amount of government spending being invested in broadband infrastructure, people are likely to be more connected than ever before and facilitate more households with better internet access. As ever-increasing broadband speeds become available, the problem of ‘digital exclusion’ is only going to be exacerbated for those rural or poorer communities who cannot access it.

A Digital Inclusion Strategy was also put together by the government in 2014, to help more people use and benefit from the internet and technologies. Digital skills have become a major focus for the UK government in recent years, due to this helping to tackle wider issues in society such as economic growth and equality gaps. 

Although people can find ways around using technology, it is often viewed as preferable for members of modern society to have access to information technology to prevent exclusion and also benefit from the many offerings it provides.