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The Internet age was considered to be full of possibilities to reduce many of the inequalities that have plagued humanity since ancient times. Almost every aspect of every society interacts with the Internet in some way. From everyday appliances like refrigerators and lights to complex health care systems and records, most people encounter the Internet on a daily basis. Easier access to services including education and health care was seen as the biggest movement towards a better future. However, inequalities are also finding their way within the Internet age, and the capabilities of the Internet continue to deteriorate due to the vast digital divide. As the possibilities from the Internet grow, so do the inequalities for those who do not have access to the technologies, tools, or even skills needed to participate in an increasingly digital world. Approximately 2.7 billion people worldwide are affected by the digital divide. Thus, approximately one third of the world does not have access to the Internet. Furthermore, 53% of the world does not have access to high speed broadband.
This division can have a negative impact on the economic and occupational development of people and lead to a cycle of marginalization. Some factors contributing to the digital divide include the cost of devices and internet services which become a barrier for those with low incomes. The skills required to access technology create further divisions as some people do not have sufficient knowledge or skills required to use digital services and technologies. The divide persists in some areas due to the lack of infrastructure to implement digital technologies. This is in addition to geographic restrictions that limit access to digital technologies. Additionally, several studies have also found that women are often disproportionately affected by the digital divide.
Some countries that have attempted to reduce the digital divide in their own ways include India, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and China. India is the third most digitized country in the world, and this is despite having the world’s largest population. Through programs such as the National Digital Literacy Mission, Digital Literacy Campaign and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan, efforts have been made to address the needs of different social groups. The BharatNet project aims to provide high-speed broadband in villages, while the Common Service Center Network provides offline internet access for e-governance services. Apart from promoting the development of local language content and applications, devices and internet services have also been made affordable. Yet, the digital divide persists and operates along gender, geography and age lines.
The Netherlands, Switzerland and Norway have the highest Internet penetration rates in the world, with 99% of their populations using the Internet as of April 2024. The People’s Republic of China has the highest internet usage in the world, with over a billion people online and is expected to account for one-third of the global Internet of Things (IoT) market by 2025. However, the last time it was reported in 2018, China’s digital Gini coefficient was 0.59, indicating a high level of digital inequality. The urban-rural divide in terms of Internet access is large in China, with Internet penetration being much higher in urban areas than in rural areas. In 2018, the internet penetration rate was 74.6% in urban areas and only 38.5% in rural areas. Additionally, China faces the problem of digital divide due to imbalance in the diffusion of information and communication technologies, high online fees, inadequately trained staff, incomplete network legacy, and lack of information resources in Chinese language. The age divide in Internet access in China is also stark. As of March 2020, China’s elderly Internet users over the age of 60 accounted for only 6.7% of the total number of Internet users and the penetration rate of elderly Internet users was 23.7%, less than a third of that of young Internet users. Was 73%. The estimates were based on China’s total population and structure at the end of 2019.
The best performing countries in terms of reducing the digital divide include Iceland, South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK) and Singapore, and other countries aiming to reduce the divide and take advantage of the full capabilities of the Internet age. There may be useful lessons for. , Iceland has widespread Internet access, a lack of restrictions on online content, and extensive investment in infrastructure. It is believed that there is no digital divide in Iceland based on geography, gender or education level. South Korea has invested in infrastructure and education, focusing on science and technology studies, while the UK has used policies and programs to build digital skills in the population. Singapore is considered to have one of the world’s best ranges of online services and e-participation tools. While each country struggles to tackle the digital divide on its own, comparative studies with countries with similar demographics and income levels would go a long way in identifying mechanisms that can and should work in tackling the digital divide. can not do.
This article is written by Sriparna Pathak, Associate Professor, Chinese Studies and International Relations, Jindal School of International Affairs, OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat.
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