The term digital divide refers to the difference in access to modern communication technologies (like television, electronic gadgets, the internet, etc.) encountered by people. In the early 90s, digital divide was applied to people who had access to mobile phones and those who dint. However, with the changing times, the meaning of the term digital divide continues to expand. Nowadays, the term has expanded to include digital literacy, limited connectivity and the financial ability to use the latest technology.

Areas of Digital Divide

Think of digital divide and the first thing that comes to mind is the restriction in access that rural areas face compared to urban areas. While this is a glaring example, digital divide is not limited to this one aspect.

Studies have shown that men have access to and use technology more than women. In the year 2022 alone, data from across the globe revealed that while 62% of men used digital devices and technology, only 57% of women did so in the same year.

The divide is also obvious between developed countries and developing countries.

Beyond these, there are other types of digital divide too:

• The Access Divide: This refers to the socioeconomic differences as a result of which people may not be able to afford digital devices. This is especially true for developing countries where people are limited by their financial status and are not able to use digital technology.
• The Use Divide: This refers to the skills needed to use technology. Often, the younger generation is more malleable to learning and using new technology compared to the older generation. However, this is also influenced by the education the person has received.
• The Quality-of-Use Gap: This refers to the difference in the quality of devices and communication technologies used. For example, city dwellers might have access to the latest in terms of connectivity while rural areas might still be using older forms of connectivity like dial-up connections. Quality of use also refers to the ability to get the information you seek from the digital world.

All these gaps are the results of differences in wealth and education and gender discrimination.

Also Read: Medical Challenges in India

The Indian Scenario

The latest data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) reveals that while 66% of urban Indian homes have access to the internet, in rural areas this number stands at a dismal 24%. Further, despite having access, people using the internet is limited to 14% in rural areas compared to 59% in urban ones.

Reasons for the Digital Divide in India

More than one factor is responsible for the huge digital divide our country faces.

• Geography: A country as geographically diverse as India poses many difficulties to building and maintaining infrastructure – from diverse climatic conditions to contrasting terrains, it is indeed a challenge. Rural hilly areas are the worst affected due to this – they struggle with electricity and connectivity.
• Gender Barriers: Women face significant hindrances to accessing information and communication technology (ICT). This is because various socio-cultural barriers affect their use of ICTs – these include lack of basic education, inability to travel, safety and not being allowed to make decisions.
• Affordability: This is another huge factor that affects digital connectivity. With many people still living below the poverty line, spending money on digital devices and data plans is hardly a priority. This again affects rural areas more as wages are much lower and jobs lack security.
• Digital Literacy: Using ICT requires some basic education as well as computer skills. Only this will ensure awareness and accessibility to ICTs. Language barrier is another obstacle to accessing digital services. Online content is usually only available in English and other dominant regional languages. As a result, people whose languages are not covered suffer.

Also Read: A Public Private Partnership to Meet Our Country’s Healthcare Needs

Consequences of the Digital Divide on Healthcare

The effects of the digital divide are far-reaching and affect a number of sectors including education, economy, healthcare, etc. Here, we focus on its effects on healthcare alone.

With information and communication technology and devices improving every day, it would indeed be ignorant of us to not take advantage of it for our own well-being. Unfortunately, this is the sorry state in many parts of the country and with healthcare digitization on the rise, digital inaccessibility has some unfortunate consequences. Healthcare leaders and policymakers need to be aware of the effects of digital poverty on healthcare to come up with suitable solutions.

Limits Awareness:

• The internet is a treasure trove of information on many issues including health.
• While patients are advised not to Google symptoms and self-treat, using the net for awareness and prevention of health conditions is invaluable.
• People who do not have access to digital technology lose out on this important benefit.

Inhibits Telemedicine:

• Telemedicine allows people to consult with specialists who are not in their locality.
• This is extremely useful for people with limited mobility and for those who live in remote areas.
• However, for people to take advantage of this service, good quality digital accessibility is a must.

Medical Records Management:

• Nowadays, health information is digitized as this ensures easy accessibility.
• Patients have easy and quick access to their health records, test results, etc.
• But with digital poverty, people struggle to maintain their digital health records and may possibly end up mismanaging their health.

Missing out on Apps:

• Health apps are very much a part of healthcare of the future.
• They help people monitor their health conditions so that treatment can be availed before the condition becomes severe.
• The digital divide prevents people from benefitting from these useful health tools.

Digital Technology for All

There is no single solution that will help bridge the digital gap. The UN advises that bridging the gap should begin as early as possible i.e. the end users need to be thought of while the technology is under development.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) stresses on paying attention to the following to address the digital divide:

• Understand the barriers people face thoroughly and work with the community to reach the goal of digital services for all.
• Pay special attention to the groups that find accessibility difficult – women, elderly, people with disabilities, migrants, etc.
• Try to create digital solutions that are language independent – use images and illustrative content instead of words.
• Research on other digital solutions that ended up excluding people and work on circumventing the problems they faced.
• Test out an early version on people and tweak any pain points that arise.
• Review regularly to make sure that no group is excluded.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the digital divide in India?

The digital divide in India refers to the gap in access to technology, digital literacy, and connectivity between rural and urban areas, genders, and income groups.

2. Why is there a digital divide in rural India?

In rural India, limited infrastructure, affordability, digital literacy, and gender barriers contribute to restricted access to digital technology.

 3. How does the digital divide affect healthcare?

The digital divide limits healthcare access by restricting awareness, telemedicine availability, digital medical records, and health-monitoring apps for those without internet access.

 4. What are the main areas of digital divide in India?

The main areas are the access divide (economic limitations), the use divide (digital skills), and the quality-of-use gap (quality and type of technology available).

5. How can India overcome the digital divide?

Bridging the digital divide involves improving infrastructure, increasing affordability, promoting digital literacy, and ensuring inclusivity for all demographics, including women and rural populations.

 6. Why is digital literacy important for reducing the digital divide?

Digital literacy helps people effectively use technology, access information, and benefit from digital health and educational resources, thus reducing the divide.