Policy synthesis #4: From digital divide to democratic dividend

Since the rise of the internet in the 1990s, the concept of digital democracy has been heralded as a powerful antidote to declining political trust and citizen apathy. Digital tools and E-participation — from e-governance and e-consultation to social media activism — offer the potential to overcome geographical barriers, increase the speed and scale of information dissemination, and engage voices previously unheard in traditional political arenas, thereby deepening the role of citizens in policymaking. However, the reality of digital participation has proven far more complex. Digital tools are not neutral; they are shaped by underlying social and economic inequalities. The "digital divide" is not merely about access to technology but also about the skills, confidence, and literacy required to use it effectively. Research shows that online participants are often systematically more privileged than the general population, thereby risking the reinforcement of existing power imbalances.. Furthermore, the very design of many platforms can foster polarization rather than consensus, transforming the public sphere into a battleground of trolls and disinformation, rather than a forum for reasoned debate.