Why the Digital Divide Exists
The digital divide comes from the normally slow diffusion of new technologies. It is the natural and expected result of wealthier people and countries experimenting with and adopting technologies because they have disposable income. Such "divides" have occurred with every major technology including car, radio, television, and telephone. Over time, the divide closes as the technology becomes less expensive and more tested. A map of Internet users and innovators quickly reveals a stark global North-South divide. The Internet has planted deep roots in the regions that encouraged and fostered its early growth. Not surprisingly, these regions are also the world's wealthiest.
The digital divide occurs because people don't know how to use the technology, or it is not made relevant to their lives - Even when people have access to information technologies such as the Internet, they often do not have the training to use them, do not have relevant and interesting content or they are blocked by cultural and political mores against using it.
Countries that do not have literacy and electricity are simply unable to effectively adopt information technology. Moreover, countries in extreme debt are unable to finance technology investments. Countries that are slow to adopt precursors and prerequisites for information technology face a playing field sloped against them, such as African countries not adopting electronic switching networks.
The rural-urban divide especially (which occurs around the world) is caused in part by the inherent difficulty of providing network access, let alone electricity, in extremely rural regions. The digital divide can also be considered a matter of personal choice - Some people simply don't want to use information technology and thus the "digital divide" is partly an illusion. Because income levels are a major factor currently in the divide, these issues will fade over time as the market continues to push down computer and access prices. Yet, a divide may remain - because of individual family choices. There are natural, cultural gaps in consumption. This is backed up by a recent Pew study stating that roughly 50% of Americans are not online and half of them do not want to be. 25% of the population does not see the utility of computers or finds them too expensive to warrant the purchase. Those who hold this view are on average disproportional older - creating the 'age divide'.
