Exploring the Impact of Digital Divide on the Spread of Popular Culture in Nigerian Rural Communities

The objective of this study is to explore the impact of digital divide on popular culture in rural communities in Nigeria and its implications on sustainable development. The study is based on Marshall McLuhan’s theory of global village which emphasised that the adoption of technological devices results in the expansion of cultural values and norms and the reconstruction of people’s lifestyles and ideologies. An extensive review of relevant and related literature was carried out to determine the effect of digital divide in the spread of popular culture in Nigerian rural communities. Internet sources served as important tools for obtaining related documents on the subject matter. The study revealed that the lack of digital technology in rural communities in Nigeria has led to the restriction of global trends and exposure to contemporary cultural movements on digital platforms that serve as conduits for popular culture. The study also revealed that digital divide results in socio-economic and cultural isolation which limits the opportunities for Nigerian rural communities to participate in the evolving global popular culture. The study also showed that bridging the digital divide in Nigerian rural communities requires the concerted efforts of the government to make digital tools more accessible to the rural population, providing digital literacy programmes and designing online contents in local languages that can be easily understood by the rural populace. The study concludes that, by closing the digital divide in Nigerian rural communities, a more inclusive and interconnected society that will boost the economy of the rural communities will be created.