This blog post examines the causes of the persistent information gap in the digital information society and proposes effective approaches to resolve it.
Just as there is a wealth gap in capitalist societies, a gap exists in the digital information society between those who have access and those who do not. In the early days of digital media adoption, optimism prevailed that the information gap would soon disappear as media distribution expanded. There was great expectation that the advancement of digital technology would make information easily accessible to everyone. Many believed that digital media, such as the internet, would lead to the democratization of information and become a crucial tool for mitigating social inequality. This optimism stemmed from the hope that the free flow and sharing of information would bring positive change across society.
Critical perspectives on the digital divide certainly existed, but even then, the prevailing outlook was that disparities in media access would diminish. Initially, concerns were raised that limited internet usage and the high cost of computer equipment or connectivity would exacerbate the divide. However, over time, technological advancements drove down the price of digital devices, and the rapid increase in internet penetration somewhat alleviated these worries. At the time, there was a widespread belief that the digital divide was merely a partial phenomenon occurring within society and would naturally resolve as access costs relatively decreased.
However, according to the ‘post-adoption theory’ that began emerging in the early 2000s, the digital divide is not limited to a simple issue of physical access; it exists multidimensionally and persists. With the proliferation of affordable digital media, the binary logic explaining the digital divide as a gap between the haves and have-nots has become less persuasive. While technological advances have made physical access itself relatively easy, unresolved issues remain. The digital divide problem now requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond simple access, encompassing the ability to utilize information and the resulting social and economic disparities.
While the gap in simple physical access to digital devices and services is narrowing, new types of disparities are emerging. For example, as internet and smartphone penetration rates rise, the physical access gap diminishes, but a new information gap based on differences in digital literacy has emerged. Consequently, individuals lacking sufficient information utilization skills face a heightened risk of marginalization in the digital society. Simply having access to digital media is insufficient; the ability and environment to utilize it effectively have become crucial.
Current discussions on the information gap largely focus on the autonomy of use and the fairness of usage conditions. Autonomy of use refers to the ability to appropriately utilize digital media in a context-appropriate manner. While access to digital media has increased, some people still experience fear and reluctance. This is a common issue among those unfamiliar with digital technology or who find learning new technologies difficult. Such individuals often fail to fully utilize the potential of digital media due to their reluctance toward new technologies. The sense of inferiority experienced when unable to resolve operational difficulties with digital systems is also problematic. Furthermore, some individuals struggle to actively apply information acquired through digital media not only in daily life but also in problem-solving situations. Unless this lack of autonomy in usage is addressed, even if access to digital media is achieved, it remains difficult to utilize it effectively.
Equity in usage conditions refers to equal opportunities for access, such as through social networks. Even if media utilization skills improve, the digital divide persists without corresponding improvements in the surrounding environment. For example, if the environment in a community or workplace does not facilitate the use of digital technology, individuals will struggle to apply their skills, no matter how high their digital literacy. An individual may diligently learn how to use digital media based on their circumstances, yet have limited opportunities to do so, contrary to their wishes. Therefore, even if an individual knows how to use digital media and wants to utilize it, the digital divide occurs if the conditions are not supportive.
Contemporary research indicates that new dimensions of the digital divide emerge when combined with socio-demographic variables such as income, education, age, gender, region, and physical disability. For instance, older adults often possess lower understanding and utilization capabilities of digital technology compared to younger generations, further deepening the divide. Additionally, individuals residing in rural areas frequently experience poorer internet access and quality compared to urban areas, making them more susceptible to the digital divide. These variables cause more granular inequalities and produce qualitative differences in information utilization, potentially affecting individual academic achievement and labor productivity. In the future, the existence and types of the digital divide may become far more complex, depending on the individual’s circumstances and the social context in which they use digital media. Consequently, policy and societal efforts to bridge the digital divide will become even more crucial.
