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Contemporary Perspective
With the rapid technological advancements that have occurred in recent decades, there has been an increase in scholarly attention directed to the social issue of the digital divide. The digital divide is a characteristic term used to describe individuals who do not have access to or do not adopt high-speed internet and do not have the digital literacy to accompany their usage of such technology.
The numbers of these individuals, as of 2021, reached into the millions and primarily encompassed individuals who were low income, elderly, disabled, and people of color.
These factors are important for providing a holistic understanding of who is in the digital divide, but the primary factor that causes a lack of digital access and literacy is income. Low-income households and neighborhoods statistically display lower levels of internet adoption. This finding is reinforced by census data from 2015, which showed that 73.3 million resided in neighborhoods where residential internet subscription rates were less than 40%.
Historical Background
The lack of access to high-speed internet is directly related to the privatization of the internet by a few corporations who hold a monopoly. The internet being a private commodity contrasts with the history of the development of the internet, as it was a decades-long project that consumed a significant amount of public funds to be brought to fruition.
The digital disenfranchisement faced by many is also known as digital redlining, as certain individuals are prevented from accessing a plethora of educational, professional, and economic opportunities that are solely accessible for those who are digitally literate and have access to this technology due to their socioeconomic status.
This is especially true as advancements in the internet have led to internet capital, where technological assets and the strategic usage of them directly translate to economic gains. As such, internet usage is related to income disparities, as those with higher levels of internet usage skills have the ability to increase their income and avoid monetary losses (e.g., by recognizing scams).
Human Rights
In our contemporary world, the internet is a necessity, not a privilege; it is necessary for education, banking, employment, and increasing knowledge, among other things. Given how integral the internet is to the fabric of everyday life, access to it can be considered a human right according to the stipulations set forth by the United Nations, which include the right to education and work as well as equality. In support of this notion, the United Nations General Assembly declared that access to the internet is a human right and specifically highlighted the internet’s crucial role in freedom of expression, opinion, and education . As such, the digital divide represents a social issue, as individuals are unduly hindered in their efforts to better their societal position and actualize their full potential.
Relation to Health Inequities
Inextricably connected to this structural issue is that of health inequities. As healthcare has adapted to reflect the technological landscape, it has further alienated those who are already on the other line of the digital divide. For example, telehealth visits have increased over the past several years, making healthcare accessibility easier for those who have technological access, adding yet another limitation to accessing timely healthcare for those who are digitally disenfranchised.
Furthermore, the internet provides a wealth of knowledge on enhancing one’s health, for example, through preventative measures. By accessing studies, virtual information sessions, etc., individuals can gain a better understanding of health risks and how to best prevent and address them. This information is unavailable to those who cannot access the internet and, as such, deepens the digitally catalyzed health divide.
This, in turn, poses not just a humanitarian issue but also a financial burden, as health complications that could have, at least in part, been avoided are now exacerbated due to a lack of accurate and up-to-date knowledge.
The digital divide is one of many factors that perpetuate health inequities, and by using a multi-pronged approach to address these catalyzing factors, we can begin to bridge the gaps in disenfranchisement.
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