There is a big gap in this world between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' group of people. Every work is becoming easy to do because of rapidly growing technological advancement and digitalization. Computer, Mobile and smart devices are an integral part of a human being these days. Without which most of us cannot think to move even one step further. But still, around 45 percent of the population is not on access to the internet. Still around 37 percent of the population lack to use network devices in the world as per the beginning months data of 2018. The factors that affect to increase digital gap or to create digital divide are economic status, race, gender, geographical condition, Disabilities, Education, and so on. Students and youths from the poor family background have access to the internet only in school, library, or cyber. Westerners are more advanced than Asian and African people in terms of technology use, study shows. If we talk about Nepal, Still a few numbers of so-called lower caste are backward and are not in access to the internet compared to so-called upper castes. More male are using Digital devices than female. Some of the countries have strict law for women, which restrict them to have digital devices and use them. More male travels one place to another place and gets access to the internet and digital device.
Another factor is the geographical condition. The urban area has more digital systems, technology than remote places. Cities have more investment more digital inventions and more distributions of opportunities and facilities. In the geographically backward places illiteracy and poverty push them to focus on their simple and primary needs which bind them not to use a digital device. They are not used to with such devices and are not provided with substantial training and ideas with digital systems. We can see educated are fonder to use computers, mobile and smart device than those who are illiterate or less educated. Ideas to operate such software, Need of those programs in day to day life segregates them to be user or non-user. A handicapped person cannot use computers and another digital device. There are some compatible devices for them but not substantial and too expensive to afford. The economic condition of them and the nature of their disabilities limit them to use new technologies.
Aforementioned causes are the vital points for technological differences between different types of population in access and use of them. We hear and read leaders of the countries are lecturing, preaching and declaring with the high voice, they do this and that. But we cannot see the fair distribution of opportunities and facilities to digital access for all equally. In my personal view, this is not impossible to increase and install digital system equally to all the population at least if they simply show their will to do. This is the first need of the 21st century.
