The new social gap of the 21st century digital illiteracy

Over the past four decades, society has undergone a profound transformation, largely driven by the democratization of technology. This process has not only reshaped the technological infrastructure but has also significantly altered social, educational, and cultural landscapes. The introduction of personal computers (PCs) into homes and educational settings during the 1980s represents a key milestone in this evolution. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the emergence of market players such as Commodore, Sinclair, and Apple, coupled with the widespread availability of clone computers, facilitated the penetration of computing technology into lower educational levels. This expansion was strongly supported by public policies, particularly in Europe and North America. The turn of the 21st century, marked by the rapid expansion of the Internet, further accelerated these shifts, fundamentally redefining the way societies engage with education and technology. However, while technological progress has opened new opportunities, it has also deepened the digital divide, creating new forms of social exclusion predicated on unequal access to and effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Addressing this growing digital divide remains a critical challenge for fostering equitable inclusion in the digital age, ensuring that technological advancements benefit all segments of the population rather than perpetuating or widening pre-existing inequalities.