Computing Reviews
Today's Issue Hot Topics Search Browse Recommended My Account Log In
Review Help
Search
Falling through the net : defining the digital divide
 In The digital divide. Cambridge, MA,  MIT Press,  2001. Type:Book Chapter
Date Reviewed: Jun 3 2003

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released this groundbreaking report, “Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide,” in 1999. The report describes surprising disparities in access to both the Internet and to other telecom services across demographic groups.

The digital divide refers to disparities in access to telephones, PCs, and the Internet, based on 1998 data. In fact, the report argues that the gap had actually widened when viewed as a function of education, income, and race. One example is that those with college degrees were 16 times more likely to have Internet access than those with only an elementary school education.

Section 1 of the report focuses on access to computers by household. While the section on telephone access is deleted in this book, access to electronic services is detailed. Section 2 focuses on Internet access and usage, with a focus on individuals (not households). The raw data is summarized in a variety of interesting and useful ways. Section 3, “The Challenges Ahead,” discusses the promotion of universal service, expanding community access centers, and content concerns.

Unfortunately, the data used in this report is five years old, and the report itself has been superseded several times. The latest data is in “A Nation Online: How Americans Are Expanding Their Use of the Internet” (2002), available for free download at the time of this writing from http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/dn/index.html. There is a wealth of new data on the topics addressed by the original digital divide report. A simple Web search will turn up important updated information, and a clearinghouse is available at http://www.digitaldivide.org.

This is a historically important report, but one which has been superseded by five years of events.

Reviewer:  David Bellin Review #: CR127719 (0309-0992)
Bookmark and Share
  Featured Reviewer  
 
Social Issues (K.4.2 )
 
 
Miscellaneous (K.4.m )
 
 
Public Policy Issues (K.4.1 )
 
Would you recommend this review?
yes
no
Other reviews under "Social Issues": Date
The social impact of computers
Rosenberg R. (ed), Academic Press Prof., Inc., San Diego, CA, 1992. Type: Book (9780125971300)
Oct 1 1992
Computing in the home: shifts in the time allocation patterns of households
Vitalari N., Venkatesh A., Gronhaug K. Communications of the ACM 28(5): 512-522, 1985. Type: Article
Oct 1 1985
Discrimination against females and minorities in microcomputer advertising
Demetrulias D., Rosenthal N. Computers and the Social Sciences 1(2): 91-95, 1985. Type: Article
Jun 1 1986
more...

E-Mail This Printer-Friendly
Send Your Comments
Contact Us
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.   Copyright 1999-2024 ThinkLoud®
Terms of Use
| Privacy Policy