THE DIGITAL DIVIDE

What is the digital divide?

• The digital divide refers to the inequalities in opportunities between individuals households, businesses and nations to access to Information & Communication Technology (ICT).

So Why The Divide?

• Over 75% of internet users come from rich countries, which account for just 14% of the world’s population.

• In Thailand, 90% of internet users live in urban areas.• In Chile, 74% of internet users are under 35 years old.• In Ethiopia, 86% of internet users are male.• In the UK, 30% of internet users have salaries of over

$120,000 dollars.• In the UK, over 50% of internet users have degrees.

DIGITAL ACCESS INDEX (DAI)

• The DAI measures the overall ability of individuals in a country to access and use ICTs. Measured using– Infrastructure – combined, fixed and mobile

teledensity– Affordability– Knowledge – adult literacy– Quality – bandwith– Usage – internet users per 100 population

Changes in DAI

India

• 42 Million internet users.

• India’s population is over 1.13 billion.

• Therefore only 3.7% of the population have access to the internet.

• Young people are the main users for example college students.

India

• The main problem of so little users is poverty.• Most people cannot afford computers.• Some rural areas do not have electricity.• Shanty towns have very limited access.• The distances are so vast that it’s impossible

as well as extensive to connect everyone.• The internet is not really an issue for the

country in regards to housing etc.

Iceland

• 258,000 out of 299,076 people use the internet here.

• This is 83% of the total population.

• Iceland is a rich and sparsely populated country in comparison to India (Poor and Densely Populated).

• Travel in winter is difficult and the road network is poor so communicating with ICT is very useful.

Activities

• Using Geography Course Companion P335-337 answer the following…

1. Describe the inequalities/digital divide and explain the reasons behind it.

2. Which countries have no data? What might be the reasons behind this?

3. Using Figure 13.19 (P337), explain the pattern of population size in proportion of internet users.

4. What is the DAI and what categories is it split into?