The Digital Divide Index - A Measure Of Social Inequalities In The Adoption Of ICT

Recent information society policies have been paying much attention to the threat of a "digital divide". The gap between citizens from different socio-economic backgrounds with regard to their opportunities and abilities to access and use information and communication technologies is commonly regarded as a potential barrier for participation in the information society. This paper suggests a method for measuring the digital divide on an aggregate level by defining a Digital Divide Index (DDIX) which focuses on the presumably disadvantaged groups of society. The DDIX applies diffusion theory to the current digital divide research paradigm. It presents initial results for the 15 EU Member States and the European Union as a whole. A comparison of the indices for the years 1997 and 2000 shows that the digital divide within Europe has not yet decreased and that particularly the elderly and the low education segment of the population have failed to catch up with the average. Furthermore there is evidence of a polarisation between those countries who manage to foster an inclusive information society and those who do not. The paper reports about research in progress which is linked to several indicator projects funded within the IST Programme of the European Union, especially to the projects SIBIS, BEEP and SeniorWatch. 1. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND AND POLICY CONTEXT 1.1. Definition of the digital divide In the political discourse about the opportunities and threats of the information society the terms "participation" and "inclusion" are frequently used to describe the objective of creating favourable economic and social conditions from which as many citizens as possible can benefit. Achieving "an information society for all" – i.e. an "inclusive information society" – has become a political priority for the European Union [European Commission, 2001a; 2000a]. Due to the growing use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in all areas of private, public and business life, the ability and skills to operate these technologies and the means to access them are regarded as important prerequisites and components of social inclusion. Carrying on the hype to name everything with an "e-" in front, the terms "e-inclusion" and "e-participation" have been introduced by European