Website review: www.digitaldividenetwork.org
www.digitaldividenetwork.org
Information is power. So are the technologies that help access and disseminate information. There has always been a gap between those people and communities who can make effective use of information and those who cannot. Now, more than ever, unequal adoption of technology excludes many from reaping the fruits of the virtual economy. This website has taken upon itself the task of bridging this gap between "information-haves' and "have-nots' by making available affordable information and communication technologies (ict) to the needy.
Promoted by the us-based Benton Foundation, the website is also a good source for ict features and research trends, as well as its potential applications in developing countries. Tools and resources provided there can help practitioners keep abreast with developments in this rapidly growing field. It also provides a platform for practitioners to share their experiences with others around the world. It strives to look at the causes and effects of the divide from four distinct angles: technology access, literacy and learning, content, and economic development. The website also highlights the efforts taken by individuals and organisations, particularly in the southern countries, in bridging the digital divide.
In countries where citizens still struggle for opportunity, bridging the digital divide may seem like a lofty goal indeed. ict will never be a magic bullet that eliminates the need for sound developmental investments, but can be a crucial factor in improving quality of life.