Digital Divide

Issue Summary
As the Internet becomes an integral part of our daily lives -- for communication, information, learning, and shopping -- it is critical that people are able to participate in this digital revolution. People need access to the Internet, educational opportunities and, increasingly, basic technology skills. Although the adoption of the Internet has occurred faster than any technical adoption in history, some groups are at risk of being left behind.

U.S. businesses, policymakers, elected officials, and educators have signaled a commitment to national Internet knowledge in recent years. They have worked together through innovative public-private partnerships to help reduce the "digital divide" that separates the "haves" and "have-nots" in the new Internet economy -- that is, populations that have access to technology and those that do not.

Education Level and Geographic Location -- Who Is Not Online

Internet Explosion
A survey by the U.S. Department of Commerce in February 2002 measured an explosion in U.S. Internet access. More than half of the nation is now online. In September 2001, about 54 percent of Americans were using the Internet -- an increase of 26 million people in thirteen months. In September 2001, 66 percent of Americans used computers. [A NATION ONLINE: How Americans Are Expanding Their Use Of The Internet]

The Divides
The National Center for Education Statistics, the Benton Foundation, and the Department of Commerce have examined access to technology in school and at home to determine what role income, race, education, and location play.

Who's Not Online
The Pew Internet and American Life Project examined the reasons why some people may never join the Internet community and log in. Their September 2000 report, Who's Not Online, summarizes these findings.

To learn more about the results of the first four years of the E-Rate, see E-Rate and the Digital Divide.

Web Resources:
The Benton Foundation's Digital Divide Network http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/.

Facts and Figures

Information Sources