Digital divide

Our current society is evolving fast towards a digitalised society. However, this evolution also has its repercussions. Not all members of society are able to benefit from ICT applications to increase the quality of their daily life, resulting in digital divides. There are two types of digital divide: the divide of first degree is a material matter: the absence of physical access to a computer or the internet. The digital divide of the second degree includes the social imbalance created by differences in acquired computer skills. The current policy in Flanders focuses on improving the physical access to ICT but lack an approach to overcome the digital divide of the second degree. A literature study will be undertaken to map the dynamics and complexity of the digital divide of the second degree. At the same time, possible measures that may bridge the digital divide are investigated. The outcome of the project is a set of policy recommendations to promote digital inclusion and to reduce the social imbalance due to digital illiteracy.