SmartHomeOwners

With technology ever growing, and more and more people conducting business and personal tasks online, it's no wonder that digital opportunities - or a lack thereof - are creating a gap between the middle class to super rich and the super poor.

This great digital gap is often referred to as the "digital divide."  The digital divide is one of many factors that separates the rich from the poor, as well as developed countries from underdeveloped and developing countries.  It is defined as the gap between those that have access to information and digital technology and those that have very limited access or none at all. 

The term "global digital divide" usually refers to the gap of digital access between countries.  Gaps are also created based on educational opportunities, income, location, gender and race.  In its simplest form, the digital divide can be used to refer to those who have computers and Internet, and those who don't.

Although poverty is often a factor in determining whether or not a person or even a country has access to digital technology, poverty is also an indirect result.  Due to a lack of digital access, very small companies can fold in a hurry as their larger competitors take advantage all the latest services and gadgets in technology.  Internet access, cell phones, fax machines, printers, etc. all contribute to a business' productivity and its ability to reach a target audience.

Those who work from home are also more likely to succeed if they have access to technological products to enhance their home business.  Some households cannot afford a computer (much less Internet access), so this can affect their ability to find the best product for the best price online and access useful information about their local area.

Lack of Education

Areas where poverty levels are great often cannot afford to install computers and/or Internet access for the classrooms.  Therefore, students do not have access to certain resources as others do.  This can affect schooling from elementary through college.  On the flip side, those who are able to afford a college education will be able to grasp higher paying jobs in the market.

The digital divide affects many areas in life - education, healthcare, business, etc.  There has always been poverty and likely always will be; however, the digital divide has created a whole new classification from the smallest town to the biggest city.