The Digital Divide

by Jan van Dijk

Contrary to optimistic visions of a free internet for all, the problem of the 'digital divide' - the disparity between those with access to internet technology and those without - has persisted for close to twenty-five years.

In this textbook, Jan van Dijk considers the state of digital inequality and what we can do to tackle it. Through an accessible framework based on empirical research, he explores the motivations and challenges of seeking access and the development of requisite digital skills. He addresses key questions such as: Does digital inequality reduce or reinforce existing, traditional inequalities? Does it create new, previously unknown social inequalities? While digital inequality affects all aspects of society and the problem is here to stay, Van Dijk outlines policies we can put in place to mitigate it.

The Digital Divide is required reading for students and scholars of media, communication, sociology, and related disciplines, as well as for policymakers.

Genres: Technology, China

208 pages, Paperback

Published January 21, 2020

Reviews

[Cory Knipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this book is dense and academic, it is exactly what I was looking for!

I would not recommend this book if you are looking for a casual read. The Digital Divide seems like it belongs in an academic journal with its dense text, data tables, and theoretical frameworks. However, if you are a student, scholar, or policymaker in economics, sociology, public policy, or communication this is a required read!

Jan van Dijk lays out the process of appropriation of digital media in a concise way. He mentions the importance of the motivations and attitudes toward digital media, the physical access of digital media, digital skills, and how differences in these areas lead to different outcomes. He also mentions the importance of reducing social inequalities to bridge the digital divide.

Jan van Dijk offers what solutions countries are currently offering, and whether those solutions are proving to be effective or not. Additionally, he suggests multiple solutions that work in conjunction with each other that address the entirety of the appropriation process.

This book has been so helpful in understanding all aspects of the digital divide and I will definitely be referencing this book in the future.

[Avinash Pandey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an ideal reading for readers in the age group of 18-40, and for for scholars in the field of new media, journalism, sociology of internet, among others.

The author is a prominent scholar in the field of digital divide and this work is a collection of his seminal contribution in this field. The readers will gain a lucid and coherent understanding on the subject as the book is presented in an. easy to understand way.

The book is short, concise and can be easily understood by a range of audience which makes it very accessible and readable, for which it is a very good read, and a must read on this subject.

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful for looking at the history of research into ideas of the digital divide and considering theories and frameworks when researching, but for a book published in 2020 it uses some outdated ways of referring to groups of people or dividing up the world.

[Jeffrey Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best recent book on the digital divide. Particularly strong on how to think about the divide beyond inequality of access.

[Goan B.]

Essentieel boek voor digital divide onderzoekers :)