Digital Divide
What is it?
The Digital Divide is an issue regarding accessibility of the internet. It concerns the individuals who have access to internet service and those without it based on geographics and demographics.
Three Types of Digital Divide
Access Divide
-
This pertains to the various ways in which individuals can gain entry to the said resource. In certain countries like the Philippines, digitalization can come at a high cost, which can make it difficult for less developed regions and rural areas to access the Internet due to socio-economic differences.
Use Divide
-
This pertains to the lack of digital skills. Inaccessibility to fully utilize the Internet can affect an individual's technological literacy. Consequentially, it hinders the handling of technology.
Quality of Use Gap
-
The user's potential for acquiring knowledge is constrained by the limited accessibility of the Internet.
Application
The lack of internet accessibility in rural areas of the Philippines is a challenge for children living there, specially due to the online learning modality. Unfortunately, the government is unable to allocate sufficient funds to address this issue, resulting in more developed internet infrastructure in urban areas.
As digitalization progresses, new technologies emerge. Many, specifically those of old age and those disadvantaged, will fail to keep up with the trends because they have limited access to the Internet.
Individuals who are unable to afford the costs associated with internet access may experience limitations in their ability to acquire knowledge that is exclusively available online.