digital divide

noun

Updated on: 18 Feb 2018

Definition of digital divide

: the economic, educational, and social inequalities between those who have computers and online access and those who do not

Recent Examples of digital divide from the Web

Farrell and other officials have billed the project as essential to closing the city’s digital divide.

— dominic fracassa, San Francisco Chronicle, "SF takes a another step toward building a high-speed Internet network," 31 Jan. 2018
In California: How rural communities trying to bridge the digital divide became enmeshed in a political fight.

— latimes.com, "Clippers are partnering with LAUSD to give eyeglasses to students," 19 Jan. 2018
And that means more Americans are left on the wrong side of the digital divide.

— monique judge, The Root, "#NetNeutrality: FCC Reveals Details of ‘Restoring Internet Freedom’ Order," 5 Jan. 2018
The digital divide is often a phrase associated with developing countries, which the OLPC program was set up to deal with.

— christopher harress, AL.com, "What happened to Larry Langford's laptop for kids program?," 23 Dec. 2017
University of Cincinnati students and visitors to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport would be among the first to cross the digital divide in the driverless shuttles if the program gets the green light.

— randy tucker, Cincinnati.com, "Driverless shuttles may ferry people at UC and CVG airport in 2018," 20 Dec. 2017
For nearly two decades, Rick Deane has focused his time and talents around addressing the digital divide.

— david karas, The Christian Science Monitor, "He’s working to close the digital divide in Kansas City," 1 Nov. 2017
Kaden Jacobs, Richmond County School System's director of communications, says that the WiFi buses were introduced to close the digital divide students in the district were facing.

— selena randhawa, CNN, "WiFi-equipped school buses help students get online," 31 Oct. 2017
As Chairman, he's moved to address the digital divide, respond to natural disasters, and maintain our country's lead in wireless innovation.

— jon brodkin, Ars Technica, "Ajit Pai gets new term on FCC despite protest of anti-net neutrality plan," 2 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'digital divide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.