According to Pippa Norris, the concept of the digital divide encompasses which three of the following distinct aspects?
(a) Global divide
(b) Local divide
(c) Social divide
(d) Democratic divide
(e) Economic divide

Choose the correct answer below:

Correct option is C

(a) Global divide, (c) Social divide, (e) Economic divide

Pippa Norris, a prominent scholar in the field of digital inequalities, defined the digital divide as a gap between individuals who have access to digital technologies and those who do not. According to her, the concept of the digital divide includes:

1. Global divide: Refers to the differences in access to digital technologies between countries. Some nations have high levels of access to the internet and digital resources, while others, particularly in the Global South, have limited or no access.
2. Social divide: This aspect focuses on the social groups within a society who are more or less likely to have access to technology. Factors like age, education, and social class can determine who is more likely to benefit from digital technologies.
3. Economic divide: This aspect highlights the disparity in access to technology based on income levels. Wealthier individuals and communities are more likely to have access to modern digital devices and high-speed internet, while poorer individuals face barriers due to economic constraints.

Information Booster:

1. Global divide refers to the global scale differences in internet connectivity, where developed nations like those in North America and Europe enjoy nearly universal internet access, while developing countries struggle with digital exclusion.
2. The social divide explores how certain social categories such as elderly people, rural populations, and lower-income groups are at a disadvantage in accessing digital resources.
3. The economic divide focuses on how wealth influences access to digital technologies, with those in higher-income brackets having better access to computers, smartphones, and broadband internet.
4. These divides contribute to inequalities in education, job opportunities, and political participation.
5. Norris' framework for understanding the digital divide helps policymakers address these gaps by targeting key areas like infrastructure, affordability, and digital literacy.
6. Digital inclusion policies often seek to reduce the global, social, and economic divides by improving access to technology for marginalized communities.

Additional Knowledge:

• Local divide refers to the uneven access to digital technologies within a specific geographical area, such as urban versus rural regions. While it is an important issue, it was not a primary focus in Norris' conceptualization of the digital divide.
• Democratic divide could refer to the unequal access to the internet that may influence people's ability to participate in democratic processes, but Norris primarily focused on the global, social, and economic aspects of the digital divide rather than a specific "democratic divide."