A decadal review of the role of communication-mobile technologies in promoting digital inclusion: Digital divide

Abstract

Advancements in communication-mobile technologies have transformed the digital landscape, creating new opportunities while also exposing disparities in access and usage. This phenomenon of unequal digital participation, often termed the “digital divide”, can exacerbate inequalities. Bridging this divide through innovative technological solutions and policy interventions is critical for empowerment. This study investigates the role communication-mobile technologies have played in promoting digital inclusion over the past decade through a systematic review of academic literature. Fourteen studies published between 2012 and 2023 were analyzed following a rigorous selection process. A conceptual framework was developed to examine the layers of the digital divide, variety of divides, intervention types, and tools used. The analysis reveals the multifaceted nature of the divide across geographical, socioeconomic, and demographic dimensions. Communication and access emerge as pivotal elements, with studies emphasizing approaches like leveraging libraries as community hubs. The importance of multi-tiered interventions, from grassroots to policy-level, is pronounced. Arts, libraries, training, and mobile platforms are identified as key tools. While the findings largely align with the topics highlighted in the preliminary sections, gaps exist concerning insufficiently addressed divides and groups. Expanding the discourse to incorporate these areas can enrich the conceptualization of communication technologies’ role in digital inclusion. This timely systematic review provides a foundation for continued interrogation of digital participation challenges facing diverse global populations.