The Digital Divide

This book provides an in-depth comparative analysis of inequality and the stratification of the digital sphere. Grounded in classical sociological theories of inequality as well as empirical evidence this book defines âthe digital divideâ as the unequal access and utility of internet communications technologies and explores how it has the potential to replicate existing social inequalities as well as create new forms of stratification. The Digital Divide examines how various demographic and socio-economic factors including income education age and gender as well as infrastructure products and services affect how the internet is used and accessed. Comprised of six parts the first section examines theories of the digital divide and then looks in turn at: Highly developed nations and regions (including the USA the EU and Japan); Emerging large powers (Brazil China India Russia); Eastern European countries (Estonia Romania Serbia); Arab and Middle Eastern nations (Egypt Iran Israel); Under-studied areas (East and Central Asia Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa). Providing an interwoven analysis of the international inequalities in internet usage and access this important work offers a comprehensive approach to studying the digital divide around the globe. It is an important resource for academic and students in sociology social policy communication studies media studies and all those interested in the questions and issues around social inequality. . Language: English