The Digital Divide: A Stark Reality
Digital disparity has become the bitter truth of our age. The statistics are startling: nearly 47% of India's population still does not use the internet. Women are 33% less likely to use mobile internet than men.
In rural India, 51% of women do not own a personal mobile phone. Astonishingly, a GSMA report reveals that 60% of internet users in India do not even know what mobile internet is or how to use it.
COVID-19: A Revealing Case Study
The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the harsh reality of digital exclusion. When schools and colleges shut down and education moved online, a fundamental question emerged: who had access to the necessary screens?
A TeamLease survey indicated that 85% of Indian students suffered learning loss, averaging between 40% and 60%. This crisis was not confined to education but extended to healthcare, employment, and social participation.
Why is this Divide Widening?
The digital divide is not merely an economic inequality; it is a new form of gender, cultural, and social exclusion. The primary reasons are:
1. Access and Affordability: Devices and data remain out of reach for a large section of the population. Poor infrastructure, especially in rural and remote areas, is a major barrier.
2. Lack of Digital Literacy: Even basic literacy does not guarantee digital literacy, which prevents people from navigating the online world.
3. Language and Content Barrier: Most online content is in English or a few major Indian languages. Millions who speak smaller languages and dialects find this world inaccessible.
4. Social Constraints: Women face social restrictions in accessing mobile phones, with their privacy and autonomy often overlooked.
5. Caste Disparity: Privileged castes have disproportionate representation in the digital world, further deepening historical inequalities.
The Path Forward
India's digital economy is growing rapidly, with an ambition to achieve digital sovereignty by 2047. However, warnings suggest that if the gap in innovation and adoption is not bridged, India could lose its momentum before reaching this goal. Essential steps include:
Promoting affordable and accessible digital devices.
Strengthening digital literacy campaigns, especially for women and marginalized groups.
Creating content in local languages.
Expanding digital infrastructure to remote areas.
Forming inclusive policies that consider both the "connected" and the "not-connected."
In conclusion, the dream of a Digital India can only be realized if we ensure that the benefits of technology reach the last person in society. Otherwise, the principle of "out of sight, out of mind" will pose a severe threat to our collective future.
