Question

Irfan lives in a rural area with limited access to the Internet. His children struggle to attend online classes, as the area has poor Internet connectivity. On the other hand, in the nearby city, people have access to high speed Internet and are able to utilize services effectively. Irfan feels that his family is at a disadvantage due to the lack of access to digital infrastructure.

Based on the above information, answer the following questions:

1. Unequal access to digital technology is called ______.
2. Mention any one reason for this unequal access to technology.
3. Mention any one initiative the government can take to reduce this unequal access.
4. How does limited access to the Internet affect children in terms of education and opportunities?

Answer 1

1. Unequal access to digital technology is called digital divide.
2. One major reason is geographic location. Rural areas often lack the physical infrastructure (like fibre optic cables or mobile towers) that urban areas have, leading to poor connectivity.
3. The government can invest in building digital infrastructure in rural regions, such as laying broadband cables or setting up community Wi-Fi centres in schools and villages.
4. Limited access creates an educational gap because children cannot attend online classes, access digital research materials, or develop the “digital literacy” skills required for the modern world. In the long run, this makes them less competitive for jobs compared to children who had better resources, limiting their future career opportunities.