As the world progresses toward the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the need to bridge the digital divide becomes more apparent. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is enabled by technological advances that will combine the physical, digital, and biological worlds, thereby changing how people live. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have begun to see this revolutionary digital shift […]

Internet connectivity is vital to economic growth. Around the world, millions of people rely on digital devices every day to complete their jobs, study for exams, and communicate with loved ones. Digital technologies can open a world of opportunities, but not everyone has equal access to the internet—or any access at all. The digital divide, […]

Digital technology is becoming indispensable to everyday life and participation in society. Work, schooling, commerce, banking, and government services all increasingly have digital components or may even be conducted entirely online. As we depend more on technology, it becomes more and more important to make sure everyone is included. We must close the gap between […]

Digital equity has come to the forefront of social issues as our dependence on technology increases. The COVID-19 pandemic in particular made the digital divide more obvious as students and educators turned to remote learning. Many students did not have access to, or experience with, the technology required for a quality education at home. What […]

As technology improves and expands in almost every aspect of our lives, healthcare is an increasingly important field. Major health systems across the globe have rolled out digital health initiatives in recent years, ranging from virtual doctor’s visits and customized patient portals to centralized record-keeping databases and wearable monitors. Now more than ever, those with […]

Aging has its benefits: senior discounts, rambunctious grandchildren, peaceful retirement, and hopefully a heap of wisdom. But many who enter into their so-called golden years also face challenges when it comes to staying connected and socially engaged with friends, family, and the world around them. Making these challenges even harder is the existence of an […]

Think of what you do every day. How much does the technology you take for granted impact your life? If the internet collapsed tomorrow, would you be able to do your job or complete your schoolwork? A life with limited access to the internet is a grim and unfair reality for many. The digital divide […]

In modern society, digital skills are more important than ever before. Many jobs require baseline digital proficiency, schools require students to have home internet access to complete projects, and vast economic opportunities exist online. However, not everyone has equal access to these technologies. As more and more people need digital skills to obtain work, participate […]

The digital divide is the socioeconomic gap created between communities, cultures, or individuals with different levels of access to digital tools. Those with unfettered access to broadband internet and computers have advantages over those who lack adequate internet connectivity, which can lead to far-reaching negative consequences for the latter. The digital divide between countries can […]