Final answer:
In the past five years, the global gender gap of internet users has narrowed, reflecting increased gender equality and women's empowerment through education and rising workforce participation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In exploring global internet usage, it is observed that historically more men have used the internet compared to women. In the past five years, however, the global gender gap of internet users has narrowed. This change reflects the broader social strides towards gender equality worldwide. At the onset of the year 2000, social progress burgeoned as women began to attain more rights and representation. The number of female leaders doubled over the past two decades and attention to women's right to fair wages has risen significantly.
The digital divide, notably the unequal access to technology among varying demographics, has been a point of focus since the term was coined in the mid-1990s. Advances in access to education for women have played a crucial role in mitigating this divide. Despite persistent challenges, such as poverty and abuse in certain regions, the increase in educated women, who now account for a significant percentage of those holding college degrees compared to the past, is likely influencing internet usage trends.
Furthermore, as more women enter the workforce, occupying roles that were traditionally male-dominated due to educational attainments, access and use of the internet as a resource and tool for professional and personal growth has likely increased. Taken together, these factors contribute to the shrinking gender gap in internet usage, reflecting strides towards equality and the empowerment of women through increased access to technology and education.