Dimensions
Digital divide in people with physical or mental disabilities
Inequalities in access to information are present among people living with a physical disability compared to those who do not live with a disability. In 2011, according to the Pew Research Center, 54% of households with a person with a disability had Internet access compared to 81% of households without a person with a disability.[30] The type of disability an individual has may prevent them from interacting with computer screens and mobile phone screens, such as having tetraplegia or a hand disability. There also continues to be a lack of access to technology and Internet access at home among those who have a cognitive and hearing disability. There is concern about whether or not the increased use of information technologies will increase equality, offering opportunities to individuals with disabilities, or whether it will only increase current inequalities and lead to people with disabilities being left behind in society.[31] Issues such as the perception of disabilities in society, national and regional government policy, business policy, major computer technologies and real-time communication have been found to contribute to the impact of the digital divide on people with disabilities. In 2022, a survey of people with severe mental disabilities in the United Kingdom found that 42% lacked basic digital skills such as changing passwords or connecting to Wi-Fi.[32][33]
Additionally, there are technological interfaces, such as mobile applications and web pages, which often incorporate bright colors, loud sounds, and eye-catching animations. These characteristics can be overwhelming for people with sensory hypersensitivity, as is often the case in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This design can generate sensory overload, making it difficult to navigate and use these technologies, in addition to causing anxiety or frustration, as pointed out by Tomchek and Dunn (2007) in their study on sensory processing in children with and without ASD.[34]
In contrast, a structured and simplified visual design significantly improves the experience of people with ASD and sensory hypersensitivity. According to Chen and Bernard-Opitz (2015), this approach facilitates the processing and retention of the information presented in the interface, promoting a more effective and satisfactory interaction.[35] Therefore, adopting design strategies that reduce sensory overload not only optimizes accessibility, but also contributes to reducing digital divides for people with this condition.
People with disabilities are also victims of online abuse. According to a report published by Leonard Cheshire, a health and wellbeing charity, online hate crime against disabled people has increased in the UK by 33% between 2016-17 and 2017-18.[36] Accounts of online hate abuse towards disabled people were shared when model Katie Price's son was subjected to online abuse attributed to him having a disability. In response to the abuse, Price launched a campaign for British parliamentarians to hold to account those who perpetuate online abuse against disabled people.[37] Online abuse towards disabled people is a factor that can deter people from engaging online, which could prevent them from learning information that could improve their lives. Many disabled people face online abuse in the form of accusations of benefit fraud and “faking” their disability to obtain financial benefits, which in some cases can lead to unnecessary investigations.
Geographic digital divide
The geographic digital divide according to the OEI[41] covers social groups that are found in both urban and rural areas. However, the infrastructure available to assist both groups is very different. In particular, the geographical isolation of rural areas poses a total and different access to the urban one, since in rural areas, at least in Mexico, there are hardly any basic level schools that can have an antenna if the geographical situation allows it, this is not the case in urban areas where although there is no free Wi-Fi, there are cyber cafes, parks, libraries, etc. that can provide the service, as well as many homes that already have internet.
According to this approach, the “digital poor” is a person who lacks, either due to lack of access – supply consideration – or lack of knowledge of how it is used or lack of income – demand considerations –, of the information and communication that is accessed through digital technologies. Those who do not use ICTs can be considered digital poor, either due to lack of supply or capacity to use them. Added to this is the lack of information about the advantages of using ICT. Identifying the main causes of the digital divide using this conceptual scheme makes it possible to define public policy guidelines to be implemented that allow bridging digital divides – or in Barrantes' terms, reducing digital poverty – in a more efficient way.[42].
These differences are also manifested between men and women,[43] ages, social status, parallel to the usual "gaps": access to healthcare, education, infant mortality, hunger, poverty.
Digital age gap
Generational differences in access, use and exploitation of information and communication technologies (ICT) are known as the digital age gap. Older people often face great difficulties in managing technological devices or online services. Factors that explain this situation include little previous experience with technology, lack of specific training, and perceived insecurities when using digital tools.
Various studies show that these differences can have really important effects, such as limiting access to digital public services, making it difficult to carry out financial procedures or reducing opportunities for social interaction. The accelerated digital transformation in areas such as administration, health and banking has deepened these inequalities, mainly affecting people over 65 years of age, even generating frustration.
On the other hand, young people tend to show great mastery and familiarity with devices, integrating ICT into their daily lives automatically. However, this does not ensure complete use of technology, and some research indicates that the generational advantage tends to decrease considerably when evaluating competencies such as information management or digital security.
To reduce the digital age gap, international organizations, foundations (such as La Caixa or Telefónica), government and even the UNED promote technological training programs for older people, the development of more accessible interfaces and the creation of services that combine in-person and digital care. These measures seek to ensure that the growing digitalization of society does not leave those with less technological experience behind.
Socioeconomic digital divide
The socioeconomic digital divide (also known as digital income inequality, or economic digital divide) is a social phenomenon that describes the existing disparity in the access, availability and use of digital technologies between populations of different socioeconomic levels. Unlike other types of digital divides, this one is specifically based on differences in income and wealth that determine the ability of individuals to acquire technological devices, pay for Internet connectivity services, and develop digital skills.[44].
Causes of the digital socioeconomic divide include direct economic barriers (cost of devices and connectivity), motivational barriers (lack of perceived usefulness), skills barriers (digital illiteracy), and structural barriers (inadequate infrastructure in low-income areas). Education emerges as the factor most strongly associated with this gap.[45].
Although it is a global phenomenon, the digital socioeconomic divide varies significantly depending on the context. In developed countries, the gap persists mainly in rural areas and among marginalized populations, while in developing countries, the gap turns out to be more pronounced and affects large segments of the population. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly amplified these disparities, especially in the educational field,[46] where students from low-income families were disconnected from online education.
Digital divide in digital skills
The digital divide depends not only on physical access to devices or connection, but also on the level of digital skills necessary to use technology effectively. This dimension includes skills such as searching for information, communicating online, completing electronic procedures, managing security, and solving basic problems. The lack of these capabilities limits social, labor and educational participation, and aggravates pre-existing inequalities.
[47].
In Spain, 66.2% of the population aged 16 to 74 has at least basic digital skills, a figure higher than the European Union average. However, more than a third of citizens lack sufficient skills to function in areas such as digital banking, electronic administration or online identity protection. According to the ONTSI, these deficiencies are especially concentrated in older people, the population with a lower educational level and low-income households, which reflects a gap that overlaps with structural factors.
[48].
The territorial environment also influences: smaller municipalities have higher percentages of people with reduced digital skills, due to fewer training opportunities and less availability of advanced digital services. Although the gender gap in basic skills is small, differences persist in advanced skills and participation in technological sectors.
The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) highlights that the lack of digital skills is one of the main obstacles to Europe's digital transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic showed that having functional digital skills is essential to access education, employment, health services and citizen participation in digital environments.
[49].
Global figures
According to Internet World Stats, in 2019 there were 4,536 million connected Internet users, with coverage percentages of the total population ranging from 89% in the United States and 88% in Europe, to 40% on the African continent. In the middle, coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean reaches 69%.[52].
2019 data from the International Telecommunication Union shows that in developed countries the majority of people are online, with about 87 percent of people using the Internet. In less developed countries (LDCs), on the other hand, only 19% of people are online in 2019.[53].
The SITEAL 2014 report for Latin America, based on the ITU International Telecommunications Union, reveals data on fixed broadband penetration (2010-2013) with a growth of 5.28% to 7.35%. The report highlights that this increase is in full development in the region along with the exponential growth of mobile broadband in the last two years, which went from 9 accesses per 100 inhabitants in 2011 to more than 28 in the second half of 2013.[54] It is worth highlighting the growth of mobile telephony in the region, which has increased from 5.26 in 2011 to 117.72% in the 2014.[54].