Closing the Digital Divide: Strategies for Building Human Rights Literacy Through Mobile Technology in the Global South

Abstract

The digital divide represents one of the most pressing challenges facing human rights education in the 21st century, with 2.6 billion people worldwide lacking internet access. This article examines how mobile technology, combined with traditional media platforms including radio, television, and social media networks such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, can serve as powerful vehicles for building human rights literacy in the Global South. Through detailed analysis of platform usage data from Nigeria as a case study, this research demonstrates the transformative potential of multiplatform approaches to human rights education delivery. The article explores the intersection of mobile connectivity, digital platforms, and human rights awareness, proposing comprehensive strategies for leveraging these technologies to close the educational divide. Drawing on current data and scholarship, this work argues that a coordinated, context sensitive approach utilizing diverse platforms can significantly expand human rights literacy even in contexts marked by infrastructure challenges and economic constraints. The findings have implications for policymakers, educators, civil society organizations, and technology companies seeking to democratize human rights knowledge through digital innovation.