According to Norris (2001) the digital divide is a multidimensional phenomenon that encompasses the following three distinct facets;
1) Global divide – the divergence of Internet access between industrialised
and developing societies
2) Social divide – the gap between the information rich and information poor
in each country
3) Democratic divide – the differences between those who do, and do not
use digital resources to engage, mobilise and participate in life
Thus in layman terms the digital divide refers to the inequalities that exist between groups of people in relation to access, use and knowledge of information and communication technologies (ICTs) (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2001).
1) Global divide – the divergence of Internet access between industrialised
and developing societies
2) Social divide – the gap between the information rich and information poor
in each country
3) Democratic divide – the differences between those who do, and do not
use digital resources to engage, mobilise and participate in life
Thus in layman terms the digital divide refers to the inequalities that exist between groups of people in relation to access, use and knowledge of information and communication technologies (ICTs) (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2001).
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