Digital Divide

In my week 21 workshop we were set the task of researching into the fields of ‘digital divide’. Before attempting my research, the term ‘digital divide’ was very vague to me. I understood it to be along the terms of a ‘gap’ between people who had access to technological resources, and those with scarce connections to such resources e.g. Those who lived in a poorer country will ultimately have fewer technical connections to the web, compared to wealthier western countries. I grew up in a society with a rich range of technology and access to these.


Ignorant of me not to understand that there are factors that contribute to the divide, such as global, social, and the presence of digital migrants and natives. By tracing these factors to understand more about the ‘divide’, I found that I could personally relate to this. I even applied the theories of the divide to fully understand why my parents are wedged in such ‘gap’. I somehow started to base my research on my understanding of my mum’s use of technology, which made it quite personal and meaningful.

The ‘global digital divide’ links back to how the wealthy and poor countries in the world have significantly different levels of I.T resources. The first country that popped in my head was China to research the ‘divide’ with a wealthier country America. I’ve seen from family members living in China due to the lack of funds, it’s difficult for them to connect with the web.
Pippa Norris writes on the paper for the Annual Meeting of Political studies Association Uk, that the global divide can be due to the ‘structure of opportunities’ where there are available I.T education and investment in technology. My relatives in parts of China aren’t given this exclusive opportunity therefore the divide is embedded, linking to a digital divide in education. My mum who was brought up with no education in I.T is then not fully equipped with the knowledge for ‘deeper’ uses of the technological resources. This reflects a digital divide in education. of education thus will not progress to ever catch up and understand newer technologies.


I identify myself as a ‘digital native’, as I’ve grown up with technology, and I’m confidently able to use the technological resources available, whereas my mum is a complete ‘digital immigrant’. She is incapable of searching for basic information online such as recipes (something I tested out over the weekend).
I don’t think the digital divide can be abolished, there can only be improvements. The rate of new technologies and the strengthening of societies aren’t parallel, and despite my mum taking I.T lessons, it’s still very difficult for her to catch up, as there are always constant new ones coming out. There are charities such as One Laptop per Child, which hope to give less advantaged children an opportunity to access technology.


I came across Mark Warschauer article ‘reconceptualising the digital divide’, I agreed with him in his conclusion that; ‘those who popularized the term "digital divide" have helped focus public attention on the important social issue of technology and inequality’. This term can only help society in the future to gain equality in the technological world.