The digital divide is an observed phenomenon relating to the inequality experienced in accessing the internet between one income and a racial group from another. That is, the marginalized groups, namely African Americans and Hispanics and those who fall under the lower income category are at a significant disadvantage when it comes to accessing the internet (PBS NewsHour, 2013). Additionally, this phenomenon is also evidenced when comparing Information Computing Technologies (ICT) between the developed and the developing nations (Ayanso, Cho, & Lertwachara, 2014) . However, there are other concerns when it comes to the digital divide which traverses access to the internet. That is, there is also digital literacy which means having the right education and skills to utilize the opportunities presented by the internet. There is also the issue of what one does with internet connectivity (PBS NewsHour, 2013). For instance, there is passively using the internet which includes using the internet for social networking, gaming and watching entertainment content. On the other hand, there is actively engaging with the internet to capitalize on the opportunities, for instance, applying for college applications (PBS NewsHour, 2013). Deep down, this is really a question of the type of content available online to help users engage with the inherent opportunities. This issue is important especially because of its ramifications to the society in general.
That being said, it is important to note that social sciences are concerned with the study of human society and social relations. In line with this, the digital divide can impact negatively on socio-economic opportunities, which include, social mobility, economic growth, and innovation, economic and social equality. For instance, varied access to ICT resources can impact on how members of the society access educational, healthcare and commerce services. In line with this, social science is split into different categories, notably, anthropology, sociology, and gerontology. That being said, this section will highlight how these different branches of social sciences can approach this issue. While there are different types of access constraints to the internet and ICT resources, sociologists would be largely focused on both material and usage access. Material access refers to the absence of computers and network connections whereas usage access focused on the limited availability of usage opportunities (Ayanso, Cho, & Lertwachara, 2014) . Therefore, sociologists would be more concerned with reducing the binary gap between those with access versus those without access (Schradie, n.d.) .
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As outlined, it is commonplace to find the youth online and not the old. This is what a gerontologist would focus on. Therefore, this branch of social science would be inclined towards tackling mental access and skill access. That is, mental access refers to the lack of experience with ICT resources due to lack of interest or having an aversion towards new technology (Ayanso, Cho, & Lertwachara, 2014) . On the other hand, skills access focuses on the lack of skills due to inadequate education or social support experienced by would be users. In line with this, this branch of social science would be centered upon knowledge formation to structure how one experiences and adapts to technological advancements as they age (Wanka & Gallistl, 2018) . Therefore, the focus would be on the binary gap between functionality and dysfunctionality in old age.
Finally, an anthropologist will take on a cultural outlook towards the digital divide by externalizing this issue as an embodiment of cultural inclusion and exclusion. For instance, such a social scientist would be focused on understanding why the digital divide disproportionately affects members of the marginalized communities (Ayanso, Cho, & Lertwachara, 2014) . Therefore, by treating this as a development issue, an anthropologist will strive to unearth the causes of this apparent uneven development in digital inclusion and exclusion. This falls within the realms of material, skill and usage access.
As evidenced above, the is a significant divergence in regards to problem definition regarding the digital divide. This can, in turn, result in controversies when it comes to how the issue is to be dealt with. A key concern that arises from this is the framing concerning the impacts of the digital divide. There is also the issue of the acceptance and adoption of technology in the society where there exists a stereotype that all digital natives love technology while the other people who fall under the older generations have some aversion towards technology. Therefore, depending on how those in charge of policy formation view the impact and acceptance of technology and the impact of the digital divide, this will inform problem definition and solution derivation. The key controversy is addressing generational disparities regarding the use of technology and the impact of the digital divide. Therefore, there is a need for all stakeholders in the society to come together to arrive at a solution. This is especially so for policymakers and the ICT companies to come together whereby, the governments should put in place the necessary infrastructure to alleviate material and usage access whereas, the ICT companies provide necessary training to alleviate mental and skill access.
References
Ayanso, A., Cho, D. I., & Lertwachara, K. (2014). Information and Communications Technology Development and the Digital Divide: A Global and Regional Assessment. Information Technology for Development, 20 (1), 60-77. doi:10.1080/02681102.2013.797378
PBS NewsHour. (Director). (2013). Cut Off From Opportunity Without Equal Access to Internet [Motion Picture]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X537MiN6COI
Schradie, J. (n.d.). Who's Connected? Sociologists and the Global Digital Divide . Retrieved from Global Dialogue: http://globaldialogue.isa-sociology.org/whos-connected-sociologists-and-the-global-digital-divide/
Wanka, A., & Gallistl, V. (2018, April 25). Doing Age in a Digitized World—A Material Praxeology of Aging With Technology . Retrieved from Frontiers Media SA: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2018.00006/full
