The digital divide is a social issue referring to the differing amount of information between those who have access to the Internet and those who do not. The term became popular among concerned parties, such as scholars, policy makers, and advocacy groups, in the late 1990s.

Broadly speaking, the difference is not necessarily determined by the access to the Internet, but any ICTs (Information and Communications Technologies) and media that different segments of society can use. With regards to the Internet, the access is only one aspect, but the quality of connection and auxiliary services, processing speed and other capabilities of the computer used, and other factors could also be part of the issue. (Davison and Cotten; 2003).