digital divide
Online access inequality
The digital divide is the gap between people who have ready access to computers, the internet, and digital technology and those who do not.
This disparity typically falls along socioeconomic, geographic, and generational lines—rural communities, low-income households, and older adults often find themselves on the wrong side of it.
The term extends beyond mere access to include differences in digital literacy and the ability to use technology effectively.
The pandemic exposed the digital divide when students without home internet struggled with remote learning.
Measurable difference between things
- gapUnfilled space between
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
- disadvantageUnfavorable circumstance or condition
exclusion · barrier · stratification · polarization · disenfranchisement · underprivileged · have-nots · two-tiered
Fast internet access
- connectivityState of being linked
- internetInterconnected computer systems
- underservedInsufficiently provided for
- unconnectedNot joined or linked
offline · disconnected · rural · urban · infrastructure · telecommunications · hotspots · bandwidth
Guaranteed availability to all
- subsidiesFinancial aid from government
- public accessUnrestricted community availability
- library programsScheduled activities at lending institutions
- community centersPublic gathering facilities
Skilled with modern electronics
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- educationSystematic development of mind
- e-learningInternet-delivered instruction
- media literacySkill evaluating information sources
typing · tech education · generational gap · skill gap · learning curve
Disability-compensating devices and software
- screen readerProgram converting text to audio
- voice recognitionTechnology identifying spoken language
- closed captionsOn-screen transcription of audio
- text-to-speechConverting writing to audio
alt text · universal design · disability · visual impairment · hearing impairment · motor impairment · inclusive design · accommodation
disparity
Measurable difference between things
- gapUnfilled space between
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- marginalizationRelegation to powerless periphery
disadvantage · exclusion · barrier · stratification · polarization · disenfranchisement · underprivileged · have-nots · two-tiered · left behind
broadband
Fast internet access
- connectivityState of being linked
- internetInterconnected computer systems
- underservedInsufficiently provided for
unconnected · offline · disconnected · rural · urban · infrastructure · telecommunications · hotspots · bandwidth · coverage
universal service
Guaranteed availability to all
- subsidiesFinancial aid from government
- public accessUnrestricted community availability
- library programsScheduled activities at lending institutions
community centers · government programs · net neutrality · public investment
tech savvy
Skilled with modern electronics
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- educationSystematic development of mind
- e-learningInternet-delivered instruction
media literacy · typing · tech education · generational gap · skill gap · learning curve
assistive technology
Disability-compensating devices and software
- screen readerProgram converting text to audio
- voice recognitionTechnology identifying spoken language
- closed captionsOn-screen transcription of audio
text-to-speech · alt text · universal design · disability · visual impairment · hearing impairment · motor impairment · inclusive design · accommodation
- digital societysocial networks, internet, internet culture, online communities, connectivity
- telecommunicationscell phone, cellphone, signals, cellular network, telephone calls
- global issuesclimate change, water scarcity, inequality, pandemics, poverty
- inequalitywealth gap, income gap, disparity, wage gap, income disparity
- digital rightsdata privacy, data protection, internet freedom, privacy, online privacy
- inequalitiesinequality, inequity, disparities, wealth gap, income gap
divide, digital, dividing, undivided, divider, divides, subdivision, subdivide, divisional