ABSTRACT
The goal of this chapter is to introduce the concepts of the digital divide and to examine how they have changed and continue to do so. We discuss opportunities for social and economic development that are possible as digital divides evolve from those of access, to use, to outcomes; and as access to personal computers, mobile devices, the Internet, and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) is becoming more widespread. To illustrate the challenges to building an inclusive global information society, we compare digital development in Europe, Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world. We also explore regional digital inequalities within the United States and Russia. Finally, we describe international aspirations to narrow or close existing digital divides as well as examples of emerging divides.
