THE EVOLUTION OF THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN TURKEY

Abstract

Disparities in information and communication technology (ICT) access and use usually correlate with demographics and socioeconomic factors. The term “digital divide” refers to demographic, economic, and social inequalities regarding access to and use of ICTs and has critical policy implications. A longitudinal analysis of the digital divide is particularly imperative to understand a country’s progress toward digitalization at a high level. Bearing in mind that the full potential of digital advancements can be achieved with the widespread adoption of digital technologies, such analysis is of particular importance for emerging economies like Turkey. In this study, we aim to examine the evolution of digital gaps in Turkey to analyze the dynamics of the digital divide. By this objective, we examine the change in broadband penetration in Turkey and the evolution of digital gaps between different social groups over device access, Internet access, and Internet use between 2008-2020. The results of this study reveal significant digital inequalities between different social groups in Turkey. Although Internet access rates point to progress to some extent, the digital divide in terms of actual Internet use persists between different social groups and regions in Turkey.