Trends of the digital divide/equality in contemporary world

Trends of the digital divide/equality in contemporary world


Shabashev V.A.

Kemerovo state university, Kemerovo, Russia bash@kemsu.ru

Shcherbakova L.N.

Kemerovo state university, Kemerovo, Russia ludmilashc@yandex.ru

ID of the Article:


For citation:

Shabashev V.A., Shcherbakova L.N. Trends of the digital divide/equality in contemporary world. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2016. No 9. P. 3-12




Abstract

The article shows ambiguity of digital divide issue. Digital equalization is demonstrated on the basis of the growth trend related to cellular communication and growing Internet users numbers in developing countries as compared to developed countries, as well as that related to improving information development index in all countries of the world. Global institutions’ efforts are represented by assistance funds, special programs, summits, forums dealing with the issue of narrowing the digital divide. Digital equalization is matched by the digital divide. Dynamic digital divide manifests itself through leadership in the production of ICT, information based management, advantageous possession of consumer effects, by the gap in e-Government, by information war connected to information influence and information security. Leadership in the production of information and communication means is reinfored through aspects of monopoly, specifics of the export-import relations in this sector, dynamics of their specific components. The article argues that the digital divide is not only not bridged, but is deepening.


Keywords
digital inequality; dynamics of digital inequality; digital alignment; formation of electronic government; monopoly in information-communication field
Content No 9, 2016