Glossary
Communal Access Points
Public locations, such as libraries, schools, or community centers, that provide shared access to computers and the internet, often for free or at a low cost.
Example:
A public library offering free Wi-Fi and computer workstations serves as a crucial communal access point for those without home internet.
Demographic Factors
Characteristics of a population, such as age, education level, and gender, that influence an individual's likelihood of having access to and using technology.
Example:
The demographic factor of age might explain why a grandparent struggles with new smartphone apps while their grandchild navigates them easily.
Digital Divide
The disparity between individuals, households, or regions in terms of their access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the internet.
Example:
A student in a rural area without reliable broadband access experiences the digital divide compared to a city student with high-speed internet.
Digital Literacy Programs
Initiatives designed to teach individuals the fundamental skills needed to effectively use computers, the internet, and other digital technologies for various purposes.
Example:
A community center offering free classes on how to use email and search engines is running a vital digital literacy program.
Educational Opportunities (Impact of Digital Divide)
The ability to access learning resources, participate in virtual classrooms, and utilize educational tools, which can be severely limited by a lack of technology access.
Example:
During remote learning, students without internet access missed out on crucial educational opportunities like live online classes and digital assignments.
Employment Opportunities (Impact of Digital Divide)
The ability to find, apply for, and advance in jobs, which is often hindered by a lack of access to online job boards, digital application processes, and necessary tech skills.
Example:
Many modern job applications are exclusively online, meaning individuals without internet access face significantly reduced employment opportunities.
Geographic Factors
Location-based conditions, such as living in urban versus rural areas or in different countries, that impact the availability and quality of technology infrastructure and access.
Example:
Living in a remote mountain town where fiber optic cables haven't been laid is a geographic factor contributing to limited internet access.
Government Funding (Reducing Digital Divide)
Financial support provided by government bodies to expand internet infrastructure, subsidize device costs, or support digital inclusion initiatives aimed at closing the digital divide.
Example:
A state allocating millions of dollars to lay fiber optic cables in underserved rural areas is an example of government funding to reduce the digital divide.
International Digital Divide
The gap in technology and internet access that exists between different countries, often reflecting disparities in economic development and infrastructure.
Example:
The vast difference in smartphone ownership rates between a developed nation like Japan and a developing nation in Africa highlights the international digital divide.
Intra-national Digital Divide
The gap in technology and internet access that exists within the borders of a single country, often seen between urban and rural areas or different socioeconomic groups.
Example:
The difference in internet speeds and availability between New York City and a small town in rural Kansas illustrates the intra-national digital divide.
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic and social conditions, primarily income and wealth, that determine an individual's ability to afford and maintain access to digital devices and internet services.
Example:
A family's low income is a socioeconomic factor that might prevent them from affording a home computer or reliable internet service.