BBC Learning English 6 Minute English The Digital Divide
NB: This is not an accurate word-for-word transcript

Kate:

I’m Kate Colin and welcome to this week's edition of 6 Minute English and today I'm joined today by Dima. Hello there. Well, I'd like to start today's programme by asking you about your online habits…..so would you say you're a heavy internet user Dima?

Dima:

Dima answers

Kate:

Since the 1980s we have been living through what has become known as the digital revolution. Can you explain what this term 'digital revolution' means?

Dima:

Of course, well the digital revolution refers to the major changes brought about by computing and communication technology during the second half of the 20th century and which is still going on today. In fact, nowadays a fast internet connection is seen as an essential service because now most people rely on the Internet in so many areas in their lives. Our Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has even said that having access to the Web is as necessary as water, gas and electricity!

Kate:

However, while many of us are going online regularly to shop, keep in touch with friends, apply for jobs (or log on to the BBC Learning English site!) there are also many people who either can't or don't want to get themselves online, which is leading to a digital divide.

Dima:

Yes, a digital divide is what we call the gap between people with access to digital technology and those with very limited or no access. This could be either because of technical or financial reasons or simply because people are

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not interested in getting themselves online. Whatever the reason, it is beginning to cause problems as more and more public services rely on their customers having the Internet.

Kate:

But now to my question for today…are you ready? How many people over the age of 15 in Britain today do you think are estimated to not use the internet? Is