The digital divide is an economic gap generated by the information revolution. Rapid development of information/communications technology has the potential to substantially change society and industry, and enrich people's lives. On the other hand, concerns persist that developing countries which cannot keep up with technological development, the underclasses in industrial nations and the elderly might be placed at a further disadvantage and the economic gap might widen between rich and poor. In Africa and South America, more than 90% of Internet users are wealthy. Even in the U.S., households with annual income above a certain level are 20 times more likely to have access to the Internet than those below it, according to separate surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the United Nations Development Program.

The divide in societies and countries between the digital "haves," those with access to high technology such as computers and the Internet, and poorer people and countries who have only marginal or no access to high technology.

The digital divide is a social issue that concerns differences in the amount of information obtainable by individuals that have access to PCs, the Internet, and other forms of IT, and those that do not. Such differences are believed to arise due to differing income levels, age and racial profiles, and educational backgrounds.

A perceived growing gap between those who have access to and the skills to use ICT and those who have limited or no access. Digital divide can be due to a number of reasons such as capability, geographic location, age, gender, physical disability, slower Internet connection, culture and/or socio-economic status.

term describing the split in society between those who use computers and their languages, and those who do not. A term still used by Internet and

The digital divide refers to the socio-economic gap between communities that have access to computers and the Internet and those who do not. The term also refers to gaps that exist between groups regarding their ability to use information and communications technologies effectively, due to differing levels of literacy and technical skills. It also refers to the gap between groups that have access to quality, useful digital content and those that do not. Broadly speaking, the difference is not necessarily determined by the access to the Internet, but any information and communications technologies and media that different segments of society can use. With regard to the Internet, the access is only one aspect. The quality of connection and auxiliary services, processing speed and other capabilities of the computer, and other factors could also be part of the issue.

Refers to the general lack of access to computers and the internet which affects women, various ethnic groups and older citizens.

Inequality of access to communication resources, such as telephones, computers, and the Internet.

differences in information technology access and capabilities in different countries or regions of the world

The well-documented distance "between the information rich (such as Whites, Asians/Pacific Islanders, those with higher incomes, those more educated, and dual-parent households) and the information poor (such as those who are younger, those with lower incomes and education levels, certain minorities, and those in rural areas or central cities). " (From the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's report, Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide.) A recent, much-heralded study by The Children's Parnership found that the lack of useful online content may be a much bigger factor in maintaining the Digital Divide than expense of hardware or wires.

The term "digital divide" was coined in the 1990s to describe the perceived growing gap between those who have access to and the skills to use ICT and those who, for socio-economic and/or geographical reasons, have limited or no access. There was a particular concern that ICT would exacerbate existing inequalities. A number of areas of specific concern were identified both here and abroad, namely that people could be disadvantaged by their geographic location, age, gender, culture and/or economic status.

digital divide: refers to the gaps between those with access to information and communication technologies ( ICTs) and those who do not.

the risk that those with lower incomes or living in more remote areas will have access to a lower quality of telecommunications services than available to others, and as a result may not be able to adequately participate in the information economy.

The lack of access to information and communications technologies by segments of the community. The digital divide is a generic term used to describe this lack of access due to linguistic, economic, educational, social and geographic reasons.

The digital divide is a term that describes gaps in connectivity. It is presumed that differences in connectivity may disadvantage individuals and groups from obtaining the benefits of the knowledge based economy. Within Canada, a digital divide gap in Internet usage between teenagers and seniors may exist. Similarly, a family with broadband access may experience a higher quality of access than a dial-up household, or a family without access at home. These examples illustrate how the digital divide exists within the Canadian context in relation to skills, interests and available technology.

A term that describes the divide between the people who do and do not have access to the Internet.

The concept that the new information technologies create divisions between those who have access and those who do not. While the development of information technologies can result in new forms of wealth and employment, this development can also give rise to an elite, skilled group of individuals who control those technologies—while others lack access and skills. The digital divide is seen to further separate groups of different ages, gender, and socio-economic status, and affect access and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Percentile measurement of the difference in access levels to IT equipment within different social and geographic sectors.

Gap between countries and communities that have access to information technology and those that don't.

The gap in opportunities experienced by those with limited accessibility to technology especially, the Internet.

the gap between those who have access to the benefits of information technology, such as access to the Internet, education, and new employment opportunities, and those who do not. For some citizens the technology brings the promise of inclusion, opportunity and wealth; for others, greater isolation and increased poverty

The education and economic gap between those who have access to the Internet, and those who don't.

the gap between people and communities who have access to information and communications technologies and those who do not.

The gap between those with access to electronic information and communication tools and technologies, such as the Internet, and those who do not.

This refers to the gap between those who can effectively use new information and communication tools, such as the Internet, and those who cannot.

The gap in understanding and effective use of computers and the Internet between those who have access and those who do not.

Although often framed as an issue of extremes, the digital divide refers to a collection of complex factors that affect whether an individual, social group, country or region has access to the technologies associated with the information economy as well as the educational skills to achieve optimal application of those technologies”, from “Analysis of the Digital Divide”, Powerpoint presentation, October 2000, http:// www.giic.org

Term used to describe the situation whereby some regions of the world and some social groups are less 'connected' than others by virtue of their circumstances (nationality, income, age, ethnicity, gender) as some individuals may not have access to computer equipment, software and literacy or internet connections. CLOSE

A phrase coined to describe the gap between people who have access to modern information technology, particularly computers and the Internet, and those who lack such access--or the skills to exploit it.

The division between those with access to ICT and those without. This division is thought to reflect patterns of socioeconomic need.

A term that refers to a geographic region that does not have access to high-speed, high-capacity network services. The digital divide separates the network access “haves” (usually larger urban centres) from the “have-nots” (rural or more distant areas).

The gap that exists between those who have access to Electronic and Information Technology, and those who do not.

The digital divide refers to the widening technological gap between the richer and the poorer countries of the world.

Phrase used to describe the idea that people of the world can be divided into two distinct groups: (1) those that have access to technology with the ability to use it and (2) those that do not have access to technology or are without the ability to use it. 1.30, 11.9-11

The digital divide is the gap between those with regular, effective access to digital technologies and those without. The term digital divide refers to those who can benefit from it, and those who don't, as opposed to just talking about who has direct access to technology, and those who don't.