Computing Around the World

On this page, you will investigate how much of the world has access to the Internet.
  1. Look at List of countries by number of Internet users on Wikipedia, which has Internet access information about the different countries.
    1. Re-order the list by clicking the headings on the top to investigate:
      • Number of Internet Users
      • Population
      • Percentage (of people online)
    2. Talk with Your PartnerDoes anything surprise you in this data? For example, are you surprised by the results for the United States? Are there other countries that surprise you in any way?
    3. What questions do you have about Internet usage around the world? These can include questions that are not necessarily answered very well by charts, such as "why?" and "how?"
  2. Some people have access to computers and the Internet, and some people do not. This is called the digital divide.
    IOC-1.C.1, IOC-1.C.2, IOC-1.C.3

    The digital divide refers to unequal access to computers and the Internet based on poverty, racism, sexism, isolation in the countryside, age, and other factors. The digital divide affects both individuals within a country and countries themselves.

      1. IOC-1.C
      2. IOC-1.C.4, IOC-1.F.10
      3. IOC-1.C.5
    1. Why is there a digital divide?
    2. In what ways does the digital divide create an unfair society?
    3. What are some ways of minimizing the effects of the digital divide, both in your community and around the world?
    3. IOC-1.C, IOC-1.C.5
  3. Do some research.Write Out Your ThoughtsWhat issues contribute to the digital divide? How do individuals, organizations, and governments contribute to the digital divide?
  1. Read this article about an innovation to deliver Internet to the world.
  2. What is being done about the digital divide in the United States? Here's a government policy brief from July 2015 addressing this issue.
  3. This article ("The Shrinking Digital Divide" from TechCrunch.com, 7/12/15) talks about the impact of smartphones on the digital divide. The article raises an interesting question: If there is no content available in your language, why would you be motivated to get online?