The extent of the digital divide and the current situation

The digital divide is the gap between those with regular, effective access to digital technlogies and those without. The term digital divide referes to those who can benefit from it, and those who don't, as opposed to just talking about who has direct access to technology, and those who don't.

It is difficult to measure the the size of the digital divide particully as it is changing so frequently. It has been suggested that to some extent there has been progress in closing the gap everywhere a few example of quickly progressing countries include; Botswana, Malaysia, Croatia and Poland. Differences between some countries shrink and others row over time. The differetn bases from which contires sart also inevitably affect any measure ments made. The difficult in measuring anything absolutely means that it is very hard to make definate claims about to what extent the digital divide is at and whether the gap is shrinking or widening.

There is a clear digital divide betweent he developed and developing countries and it has been said by many that bridging this gap is one of the essential steps of abolitiing world poverty all together. It would solve many problems that exist at the moment. It isn't jus a divide that has formed globally it is one that effects use locally aswell.The problems ae very different but the potentially could have the same detrimentl impact on economic equality, social mobility and economic growth. In many less developed areas in the UK there is in some cases very little or no electricity suppl so thereofre it is impossible to support the infrastructure for ICT. The USA who have seen similar problems occuring have started dealing with the issues. In the UK it is said that there is a clear devide between socio-economic classes. There are alos clear divides between age, geographical situation and gender. Information to support this statement is as follows:-

1. 71% of working people have used a computer.
2. 32% of those not working have also used a computer.
3. 52% of working people have a computer at home.
4. 23% of people not working do not have a computer at home.
5. More owner-occupiers are online than people who rent their homes.
6. Only 4% of council tennants spend time online.
7. While 22% of residents in high income areas spend more time online.
8. In 2001 the average levels of internet acces varied enormously with the average being 37%.
9. Connectivty in London and East was 45% (in 2001)
10. In Northern Ireland and the North East only 26% of households have interent access and rural areas were particularly poorly served often with poor infrastructure.
11. Over 65s now stand as 20% of the population but they are the least likely out off everyone to have digitl TV connections or internet access.