Policy Measures to Bridge the Digital Divide in US, China & Singapore

This report examines the digital divide and the policy measures implemented in the United States, China, and Singapore to bridge the gap between the digitally literate and those lacking access or skills. It highlights the importance of social inclusion, economic benefits, and continuous technological improvement in narrowing the divide. The report discusses initiatives like universal access, rural informatization, and affordable broadband programs. It also emphasizes the role of governments in complementing the growth of digital technology by promoting digital literacy and ensuring access to communication networks and information for improved health, education, and career outcomes. The analysis underscores the potential of technology as a leveller and the need for proactive policies to ensure equitable digital access.

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Introduction
People are currently living in a world where there is speedy changes conveyed by
information technology (IT). As a result, individuals are experiencing spectacular
transformations in the way they work, learn to entertain their selves and interact with others
in the information society over the past few years. However, digital divide is the single most
divisive force in the context of United States and China; if not given national priority
generations of children in underprivileged regions in these two nations may grow without
these tools, which are proving to be essential to the future. In addition, it also heightens social
rejection for low-income, ageing persons and other underprivileged groups, which is the
wrong side of the division. In this sense, this paper explores the need for policy measures
particularly for countries like the US, China and Singapore are doing to close the digital gaps
between the digitally literate and those who are not by providing examples of policy
measures applicable to solve the issue. The paper also shows the economic effectiveness of
these policies measure tapped by digital companies and how the governments can do to
balance the digital gaps.
Literature Review
Research shows that there is a growing gap, which is a novel form of the divide that is
progressively separating individuals who can derive numerous paybacks from the new
information society and those who cannot. 1 Indeed, such division is known to as the digital
division, which has manifested itself worldwide across nations and at society levels.
Consequently, at society levels, digital detachment has grave effects toward social growth
due to the fact that it restricts the movement of children from low-income families; create
1 Shenglin, Ben, Felice Simonelli, Zhang Ruidong, Romain Bosc, and Li Wenwei. "Digital infrastructure:
Overcoming Digital Divide in Emerging Economies." April 3 (2017): G20.

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obstacles to employment for people who do not know how to utilize technological
applications particularly computers and the Internet.2
1. The need for policy measures in U.S., China and Singapore to close the gap
between the digitally literate vs others who are unable to access the internet and
unable to use digital tool/technologies offered by the tech giant companies.
The concept of the digital divide is not a new phenomenon countless reports and
researchers have raised eyebrows about the gap for many years. Nonetheless, the rapid
development of information technology society resulted in new imperatives among
policymakers to narrow down the gap further. Some of the approaches used to narrow this
gap include social inclusion, clear economic benefits, and continuous improvement of
technologies, which is lily to leave those excluded behind even further.
Social inclusion: The interest of civil society and businesses is to close the digital divide.
3 Friemel argues that the future economy is digital; hence there is a need to maximise the
benefits associated with information to the society. Currently, it is hard to think of many
occupations that do not involve the element of computing and the Internet, which means that
many jobs require some level of digital literacy. Therefore, under the theme of “literacy in
digital world” that is celebrated as the International Literacy Day has been started to help
bridge the digital gap. 4 Basically, this theme acknowledges that significant nature through
not only the ability to write and read but also the ability to use digital technologies.
Furthermore, this theme is more so focused on the importance of information and
2 Alam, Khorshed, and Sophia Imran. "The digital divide and social inclusion among refugee migrants: A case in regional
Australia." Information Technology & People 28, no. 2 (2015): 344-365.
3 Friemel, Thomas N. "The digital divide has grown old: Determinants of a digital divide among seniors." New
media & society 18, no. 2 (2016): 313-331.
4 Salleh, Sabariah Mohamed, Rosya Izyanie Shamshudeen, Wan Anita Wan Abas, and Ezhar Tamam. "Determining media
use competencies in media literacy curriculum design for the digital society: A modified 2-wave Delphi method." (2019).

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communication technologies (ICT) to reducing worldwide inequalities and enhancing health,
education, job opportunities as well as empowerment prospects across the globe.5
The economic, as well as the social benefits of the information society, remain clear;
nevertheless, the business case should be made to become policymakers at the highest
government levels. The major area that the government can influence take-up is the
broadband network approach, although policymakers ought to tread carefully. 6 Accordingly,
the digital divide negatively affects various public services such as social services, health and
education. Therefore, policymakers should lead the way in recognising the significance of
automatic inclusion. For example, the United States, Singapore and China should establish a
digital by default policy whereby it will mean that technology shall be the main channel
through which service is provided. Accordingly, in doing so, it will be a step in ensuring that
many individuals as much as possible get to enjoy the digital advantages and that nobody is
left to lag.
2. Illustrate these policy measures with examples in data application/analysis,
training/retaining digital
Improve accessibility of mobile technology: According to the World Bank’s World
Development, Indicators statistics it has been realized that lack of access stands as the most
acute challenge in developing nations.7 Nonetheless, the rapid rise in mobile technology has
5 Leonard, Liesl, Tebogo Mokwele, André Siebrits, and Juliet Stoltenkamp. "'Digital Natives' require basic digital
literacy skills. The IAFOR International Conference on Technology in the Classroom." The International
Academic Forum, 2016.
6 Sorbe, Stéphane, Peter Gal, Giuseppe Nicoletti, and Christina Timiliotis. "Digital dividend: Policies to harness the
productivity potential of digital technologies." (2019).
7 World Bank Group. World development report 2016: digital dividends. World Bank Publications, 2016.

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proved to be significant in narrowing the access division, especially in the developing
countries. To counter the challenge mobile companies are offering SMS and text-based
services. Although simple text-based and SMS services are available, the remaining
challenge is to provide higher connectivity speeds in these countries. Also, the United States
has launched universal access that is rapidly increasing both business and political agenda
through the Global Connect initiative, which was started by the U.S. State development with
the support of the World Bank. This initiative aims to ensure that at least 1.5 billion
individuals gain online access come 2020. Moreover, the Chinese government is work hand
in hand with the Ministry of Agriculture in promoting Rural Informatiozation through Public-
Private Partnership. The Ministry of Agriculture has constructed Agricultural Information
Service Centres particularly for demonstrating projects that display the usage of information
services in the rural regions.
3. The effectiveness of these measures in tapping into the economic opportunities
offered by digital companies
The U.S and China should make the broadband affordable for low-income families: The
most significant step in bridging the digital division is through making access to broadband
more accessible for a low-income households in the rural regions. 8 Similarly, digital literacy
and the digital divide can be a crucial milestone. 9 Indeed, digital literacy is the most crucial
aspect of the digital divide. Consequently, due to lack of digital skills fear of the not known
8 Shenglin, Ben, Felice Simonelli, Zhang Ruidong, Romain Bosc, and Li Wenwei. "Digital infrastructure:
Overcoming Digital Divide in Emerging Economies." April 3 (2017): G20.
9 Haile Teklemariam, Mekuria, and Youngsun Kwon. "Reducing internet demand-side gap improves digital inclusion in low-
income countries:-analysis that is more comprehensive." (2018).

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technology can be the primary obstacle; hence individuals should be taught on how to use
new technology and how to put the technology into operation.
4. Discuss why their government’s policy complements the rise of these US/Chinese
tech giants
The government's policy of the U.S and China complements the growth of digital
technology because technology is soon going to be the greatest leveller in almost all
economies across the world. Therefore, access to the Internet will mean access to
communication networks and access to information. Consequently, access to these services
will help to improve health, education and career outcomes.

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Bibliography
Alam, Khorshed, and Sophia Imran. "The digital divide and social inclusion among refugee
migrants: A case in regional Australia." Information Technology & People 28, no. 2
(2015): 344-365.
Friemel, Thomas N. "The digital divide has grown old: Determinants of a digital divide
among seniors." New media & society 18, no. 2 (2016): 313-331.
Haile Teklemariam, Mekuria, and Youngsun Kwon. "Reducing internet demand-side gap
improves digital inclusion in low-income countries:-analysis that is more
comprehensive." (2018).
Leonard, Liesl, Tebogo Mokwele, André Siebrits, and Juliet Stoltenkamp. "'Digital Natives'
require basic digital literacy skills. The IAFOR International Conference on
Technology in the Classroom." The International Academic Forum, 2016.
Salleh, Sabariah Mohamed, Rosya Izyanie Shamshudeen, Wan Anita Wan Abas, and Ezhar
Tamam. "Determining media use competencies in media literacy curriculum design
for the digital society: A modified 2-wave Delphi method." (2019).
Shenglin, Ben, Felice Simonelli, Zhang Ruidong, Romain Bosc, and Li Wenwei. "Digital
infrastructure: Overcoming Digital Divide in Emerging Economies." April 3 (2017):
G20.
Sorbe, Stéphane, Peter Gal, Giuseppe Nicoletti, and Christina Timiliotis. "Digital dividend:
Policies to harness the productivity potential of digital technologies." (2019).
World Bank Group. World development report 2016: digital dividends. World Bank
Publications, 2016.