Digital Divide – JSS3 Computer Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

The digital divide is the gap between people who have access to digital information and communication technologies (ICT) and people who do not.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning of the digital divide;
2. state three ways of measuring the digital divide in a population;
3. give causes of the digital divide;
4. list ways of bridging the digital divide and say who is responsible for each.

What is the digital divide?

The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to digital information and communication technologies and those who do not.

• Gap in access: some people have phones, computers and internet service, while others have none.
• Gap in use: some people have access but do not use the technologies, for example because they lack the skills.
• Digital information and communication technologies: tools such as telephones, computers, the internet and radio and television.

Who is affected by the digital divide?

The divide can exist between groups of people within a country and between countries.

• Urban and rural dwellers: towns often have better network and electricity than villages.
• Rich and poor families: some families can afford devices and data, while others cannot.
• Educated and uneducated people: people with computer skills use ICT more easily.
• Countries: some countries have far more computers and internet users than others.

What causes the digital divide?

The digital divide is caused by factors that limit access to or use of ICT.

• Poor infrastructure: weak telephone networks and little internet coverage in some areas.
• Unstable electricity: devices cannot be used or charged without power.
• High cost: computers, phones and data can be too expensive for some people.
• Lack of skills: people who cannot use computers may not use them even when available.
• Language: much internet content is in English, which not everyone reads easily.

How is the digital divide measured?

The digital divide in a population is usually measured by counting telephones, personal computers and internet users.

1. Telephones: the number of functional telephones in a population.
2. Personal computers: the number of personal computers (PCs) in use in a population.
3. Internet users: the number of internet users in a population.

• A population with few of these has a wide divide.
• A population with many of these has a narrow divide.

How can the digital divide be bridged?

The digital divide can be bridged when government, NGOs and the private sector work to make ICT available and affordable.

What can the government do?

• National infrastructure: develop infrastructure that will increase internet access among the population.
• Alternative access: encourage other ways of reaching the internet, such as wireless technology and devices that connect to the internet.
• Local content: encourage content on the internet in languages such as Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa.

What can NGOs do?

• Resources: non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should mobilise resources.
• Programmes: they should run programmes that help people to access and use ICT.

What can the private sector do?

• Investment: invest in information technology (IT) businesses such as internet cafes.

Summary table of ways to bridge the divide

Evaluation

1. What is the digital divide?
2. State three ways of measuring the digital divide in a population.
3. Mention two things the government can do to bridge the digital divide.
4. How can NGOs and the private sector help to bridge the digital divide?

Assignment

List five ways of bridging the digital divide and state who is responsible for each.