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Is the Digital Divide a Myth? -- Internet Usage (553 hits)

In an article published by BlackNews.com, a new study reflects the status of the Hip Hip Generation and how their use of the Internet affects the digital divide. I have a few questions that I will include in multiple posts.

National Survey Finds That the Hip-Hop Generation Embraces Internet Technology and New Media

Philadelphia, PA (BlackNews.com) - Despite previous assertions, the overwhelming majority of low-income urban teens are accessing the Internet, buying the latest cell phones and engaging in online social networking. A national survey of more than 1,500 African American and Hispanic teens and young adults, revealed that this group is highly-connected, tech savvy and brand loyal. MEE (Motivational Educational Entertainment) Productions Inc. uncovered these findings during its latest in a series of national surveys focused on the lifestyle trends, behaviors and attitudes of urban youth.

Other notable findings include:

Quote:
"Internet Usage -- There is extremely high Internet access (96%) by urban youth, at work, school or home. Many (68%) are accessing the Internet through high-speed connections like cable, DSL or wireless. However, only about half of those with access indicated that it was through a home computer. In a trend analysis, MEE found that home Internet access has continued to rise among urban youth. In MEE's 2002 study of African American youth, 43% of youth had access to the Internet at home, compared to 58% in 2008. "

I'm still an old school guy, and while this trend sounds encouraging, I believe it is heavily skewed towards entertainment. What I am interested in is how does this access reflect increased employment skills, and help working young people advance at work. We certainly know that this generation is heavily engaged in Ipods, text messaging, and video games. But can they solve business problems with computers? Are they able to use math skills to do computer-based analysis? Can they communicate in English? I recently downloaded a 20 page "text messaging guide." What I want to know is this activity reflected in a better lifestyle -- translated, higher incomes, better education, and better living standards for families and children?

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Roger Madison
www.izania.com

Posted By: Roger E Madison Jr
Friday, February 13th 2009 at 6:10PM
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It appears that it is now a myth.
Sunday, February 15th 2009 at 12:09PM
Marta Fernandez

Hello Marta,
Perhaps I am reaching a bit far. I have been an Internet user since the early 90's. I was fortunate enough to be in a position on the leading edge of "getting connected." In the early days, the Interntet revolution was led by people doing real work -- scientific research, global business connectivity, professional collaboration, advanced idea sharing. As the adoption has spread, this phonomenon has exppanded to marketing, online commerce, entertainment, and the latest phonomenon, social networking. The social networking spike was leveraged in a most powerful way in the recent Presidential campaign for fundraising and mobilization of grassroots support. What I am interested in is whether these phenomena of expanded Internet useis translating into closing th gaps that matter.

There is still an "education divide."
There is still an "employment divide."
There is still a "home foreclosure divide."
There is a widening "wealth divide."
According to a recent Pugh Research Center report, the latest generation of Blacks -- the most connected among us -- are less well off than their parents. While we are being entertained, those at the leading edge of the information age are extending the prosperity gap.

I am not sure that this report is cause for celebration. I am cautiously concerned. What I am looking to see and hear is that we are exploiting the digital divide to close gaps, not being exploited by the illusion of closing the digital divide.

More to come.
Monday, February 16th 2009 at 12:47AM
Roger E Madison Jr