Digital Divide in Turkey: A General Assessment

Background

Although some argue that there is no consensus on its definition, extent or impact (Dewan & Riggins, 2005: 299), the concept of digital divide can be basically defined as the difference between nation-states, regions, organizations (or businesses) and individuals in access to and value-adding use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for a wide variety of activities (OECD, 2001: 5; Kaufman, 2005: 293). The most important determinants of the occurrence of this gap between the users and non-users of ICTs are listed as education level, geographical location, age, gender and race (Bikson & Panos, 1999: 31-41; Neu, Anderson & Bikson, 1999: xxii). Different solutions have been proposed to overcome digital divide. Some of these can be listed as using taxes (subsidies), tariffs, trade & legislation, and funding for public access points (Dewan & Riggins, 2005: 299).

An excellent summary of the academic literature on different levels of the digital divide phenomenon was done by Dewan & Riggins (2005). This chapter deals mostly with the individual and nation-state levels of the digital divide phenomenon in Turkey and the solutions proposed so as to overcome this problem.