Transforming digital divides in different national contexts

This chapter discusses different aspects of the digital divide concept. As a consequence of increasingly widespread internet penetration, the debate related to the digital divide has shifted from a first to a second level divide concept. In the theoretical section of this chapter both of these divide concepts are briefly characterized according to their core aspects, the research indicators adopted and the main results of digital divide research: in short, while both of these concepts try to generalize barriers for internet use and abilities, differences lie in the indicators analysed. Furthermore, this paper includes the aspect of national socio-cultural contexts in the discussion. Based on the examples provided by the three participating countries, different patterns in the first and second level digital divide are highlighted to show how – with the growing complexity of societies – the transformations taking place in digital inclusion or exclusion can differ significantly in different national contexts. In order to do this, the dimensions of the digital divide and its connections with other social and cultural dimensions were analysed in Austria, Estonia and Italy. One dividing line for each country will be discussed, bearing in mind that these dividing lines are more or less typical to each national example, but could probably be identified in other countries too.