Digital divide and inequality among digital natives: A South African perspective

Abstract

This article explored the extent of digital divide and inequality among digital natives in Gauteng, South Africa. More explicitly, social and economic forms of digital divide and inequality were investigated. The article presents innovative research in South Africa that builds on past international research on digital divide. Whereas previous research on digital divide mainly uses a one-dimensional focus on Internet access only, this research on digital inequality reflects on the quality and quantity of Internet usage. The research poses challenges to improve digital literacy in South Africa and is aimed at narrowing the economic and social disparity evident among especially Gauteng millennials. This initial research on digital inequality not only stimulates intellectual discourse on the topic matter but also serves to encourage digital natives to take full advantage of all resources on the internet as ideal communication medium to improve their well-being. Key words: Digital divide, digital inequality, digital natives, digital literacy, digital wisdom, Internet literacy, social media skills.