Reading the Exploring the Digital Nation - Computer and Internet Use at Home article, I was shocked to find only 68% of households had broadband internet and only 77% of homes had computers! Internet access is something I have taken for granted since the early 2000's so it was shocking for me to find out there is still a good portion of American's who still do not have consistent access to the internet. One of the most surprising statistics from the article is that 47% of those users without internet feel there is no need for them to have it! I wonder if those people know about all the DLC's they could be joining : )!
Many of those who are without consistent internet usage are those from low socio-economic statuses as well as minority families. Often, these are the students who need these resources the most. Imagine if young adults knew they could get a FREE degree from University of the People or find out more about a topic that could lead to a job from Yale? Increasing the accessibility of the internet could help our country decrease some of our entitlement programs by helping those in need get on their feet through free or cost-effective resources.
One of the ways New York is helping to eliminate such barriers by researching the best ways to provide Broadband internet to everyone in the state and contribute $500 million to help battle this issue over the next 4 years. The Mayor in NYC is planning to turn old payphones into free WiFi kiosks to help this issue.
Hopefully this is an issue we can resolve within our lifetime. Access to the internet is the new "literacy", one cannot be modern or informed without the internet!
No comments:
Post a Comment