Digital divide really exists.... ???

We have now moved into an 'IT does matter world'... is it just something interesting or is it a fact... Lets talk more...

Statistics state that more than 96 percent of computers connected to the Internet are in the wealthiest nations, home to 15 percent of the world's population. Nearly 60 percent of the US population has some access to the Internet, a distribution that is highly correlated to with household income.
This situation needs to 'CHANGE'....

OK... now coming to 'DIGITAL DIVIDE' – what do we mean by it? There are many explanations for the same, there is also a group debating if the digital divide really exists....

Bridges.org has given the formal definition of Digital Divide, which puts it as – 'the DIGITAL DIVIDE' means – that between countries and between two groups of people within the country, there is a wide division between those who have real access to information and communication technology and are using it effectively and those who don't.

Since information and communications technologies (ICT) are increasingly becoming a foundation of our societies and economies, the digital divide means that the 'information have-nots' are denied the option to participate in new ICT environment. (Affecting both the society and the economy)

Bridging the digital divide is the need of the hour. It is the biggest challenge in the changing business environment.

Bridging the 'digital divide' does not aim at internet for everyone nor making every one a tech screwy. Bridging the digital divide should seek to remove the technology ambiguity, reduce knowledge gaps, propagate benefits and of course provide means of access to information and communication technology in a way to improve and make efficient the business environment and promote individual, social and economic development.

What are the reasons for the Digital Divide? What needs to go into bridging the gap.... We'll talk again...

Author: Purnima Varadrajan
e-mail : info@ipott.com
Designation : Chief Executive Officer
iPOTT Softech India Private Limited.