The Digital Divide

Joanna ChenJessica Han

Catherine HongIrene Tai

What is the Digital Divide?Digital Divide: the differences in access to technology in the different regions of the world. some people are wired, some aren't                             are we taking the fact that we are wired and mobile (cell phones) for granted?     What are the categories that we are separated into?

What is causing these discrepancies?

"fixed": broadband lines

things to consider....(http://www.itu.int/wsis/tunis/newsroom/stats/)Internet • In 2004, less than 3 out of every 100 Africans use the Internet, compared

with an average of 1 out of every 2 inhabitants of the G8 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK and the US).

• There are roughly around the same total number of Internet users in the G8 countries as in the whole rest of the world combined: o 429 million Internet users in G8o 444 million Internet users in non-G8

• The G8 countries are home to just 15% of the world’s population - but almost 50% of the world’s total Internet users.

• It is estimated that top 20 countries in terms of Internet bandwidth are home to roughly 80% of all Internet users worldwide.

• There are still 30 countries with an Internet penetration of less than 1%.

what are the differences between us?

Mobile • The 14% of the world’s population that lives in the G8

countries accounts for 34% of the world’s total mobile users.Fixed • Of Africa’s 26 million fixed lines, over 75% are found in just

6 of the 55 African nations.• Africa has an average of 3 fixed lines per 100 people.• The Americas region has an average of 34 fixed lines per

100 people.• Europe and the CIS has an average of 40 fixed lines per

100 people.

Background

• Two groups 1. Those with effective access to technology 2. Those who don’t know how to use it and therefore

can not benefit from it

• Not only physical inability to access technology, but also lack of skills to take advantage of it

• Age and economic status

History

• Term first used to refer to gaps in ownership of computers between groups

• 1996- Digital Divide is first addressed as an issue by the Clinton administration

• Late 90’s – There are efforts by philanthropists and companies to lessen the divide (make donations)

• Early 2000’s – International corporations/companies meet with developing nations to discuss how to promote technology 

• Now- inequality between groups in ability to use information technology fully

• Today – Focus on creating meaningful uses of technology

How do we solve the problem of the Digital Divide?

-Projects like "One Laptop per child" try to help lessen the gap - Provides children with access to knowledge -Other organizations like Geekcorps also distribute low-cost laptops - Try to better understand lifestyle of a developing community- Find out what is meaningful to them and how they can use the internet to meet their objectives

Challenges

• Who will contribute?• Cultural differences• Who will spearhead?• What is the point?