Digital divide
The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to digital tools and know how to use them, and the others. It affects people (access, skills, uses) and organisations, including many associations, poorly equipped for lack of means.
Three levels
- Access: having a connection and a device
- Skills: being able to do an online procedure, run a tool
- Uses: getting a real benefit from it, for oneself or one's organisation
On the associations' side
A poorly equipped association (dated website, no contact base, tools at company prices, nobody to look after them) helps its public less well. The Kern4Good program was born from that observation: equip those who equip.
Where to find figures
The digital inclusion barometer published by the King Baudouin Foundation and Statbel's surveys on ICT use by households are the Belgian reference sources. They are updated regularly: cite the edition and the year.
Does Kern4Good act on access and hardware?
No. The program equips associations with websites and tools, it provides neither connectivity nor devices. Other actors do, and we work with them when a cohort allows it.
Does the digital divide only concern older people?
No. It affects publics of all ages depending on income, education and situation. The barometers show it year after year.