Digital divide and social inclusion: Policy challenge for social development in Hong Kong and South Korea

Abstract

The computer and Internet technologies have fundamentally changed the way the economy develops and the way people live in various countries. Asian countries have been performing very well in adopting these new technologies and developing themselves into information societies. However, at the same time, we are also witnessing a growing gap, a new form of divide, gradually separating those who can derive many benefits from the information society and those who are not able to. Such a divide, referred to as the digital divide, manifests itself at international, national (across regions) as well as societal levels. At the societal level, digital divide has grave implications for social development because it limits social mobility, creates barriers to employment and aggravates social exclusion for the low income, older people and other disadvantaged groups. The first step to tackle digital divide is to have a comprehensive measurement of the state of divide. This article discusses the issue of digital divide and the implication for social development, as well as describes the attempts made by South Korea and Hong Kong in measuring the digital divide within their society. It also discusses how the information obtained can inform policy decisions to address the divide and promote social development.