DIDIX: A DIGITAL DIVIDE INDEX FORMEASURING INEQUALITY IN IT DIFFUSION

This article proposes a relatively simple indicator, DIDIX, that wasdeveloped in an EU -funded project to benchmark and track national digital divideswithin EU member states. Based on the relative diffusion of computers and theInternet in four disadvantage d socio-demographic groups (compared to nationalaverages), the index is intended as a descriptive metric to compare basic levels ofinclusion in EU-member states.Because it reaches lower levels at higher rates of diffusion, however, DIDIXis neither proposed as a way to identify diffusion patterns at an early stage, nor topredict future developments. Its intent instead is to compare the diffusion oftechnology in at -risk groups with the population average. Results here suggest anincreasing North-South gradient of cross -national inclusion prevailing in Europe.Applying the underlying methodology to other than simple access or use variablessuggests that more attention should be paid to indexing the various skills andgeneral benefits of IT.