GROWING DIGITAL DIVIDE IN EDUCATION AS A CONSEQUENCE OF “CORONACRISIS”

Abstract

The article analyses a new phenomenon called the digital divide, which is caused by unequal access to IT technologies. The author considers the formation of the relevant concept and phenomenon – from the first mention in the report of the US Ministry in 1999 and official recognition by the Okinawa Charter in 2000 to the present. It is highlighted that youth marginalization is one of the central problems which drive the digital divide. This is due to the fact that in the absence of access to modern education, young people lose the opportunity for qualified work. The author states that digital inequality is growing due to the coronavirus pandemic. The need for distance learning implies the readiness of all subjects of the educational process for the specific format of work. However, in practice, many people are not ready for such innovations. Based on open data, the author analyses the countries of Central and South America, and Africa, which are virtually not covered by the Internet. The Ukrainian context is considered separately, as the issue of access of students from low-income families to distance learning remains acute in the country.