Racial inequality has been a problem in society for many years and this inequality has carried into the technological world. As the Internet is racing ‘ambitiously towards critical mass’ (Novak, 1998) it is set to change the world socially as well as technologically. (Nakamura, 2002) Little is known about ‘the underlying causes of racial differences in rates of computer and Internet access.’ (Fairlie, 2004) However, what is known is that the main problems facing certain races is do to with key demographic variables like income and education. These are the most common and important variables as they are most likely to influence the impact on certain racial societies. (Novak, 1998)
As a result of these issues, many studies have been conducted in America comparing Internet access of African-Americans with the access of white Americans. (Runne, 2001) Studies have shown that as a percentage of the online population African-Americans are ‘under-represented compared to their numbers in actual population.’ (Runne, 2001) Statistically, a black home is less than half has likely to have a computer or have Internet access compared to a white home. (Fairlie, 2004)
However, there may be more than just economical problems that make bridging the digital divide for certain races harder. There is also evidence to support that language barriers also restrict certain races from Internet and computer access. (Fairlie, 2004) Despite these studies conducted in the US there is also studies, which find that there is no racial inequality on the net, just economical discrimination. (Fridman, 2000) New York based company Jupiter Communications released a report, which predicts the growth in Internet use by ethnic group, age, gender and income. (Fridman, 2000) The report concluded that although there is currently a gap between white-household Internet access and black-household access it is expected to close by 2005. (Fridman, 2000)
Whether the gap between races in the digital divide is being bridged or not, there is obviously still problems that need to be addressed by society in order to create equality on the Internet and also equality in the business of new technologies.
Links to Wiki Sites
Links to Other Sites
Jupiter Communications provides unbiased research, analysis and advice on the impact of Internet and other emerging technologies.
The Digital Dividend Organisation promotes solutions for bridging the digital divide using information and technology in the developing world.
The World Internet Project is designed to watch the social, economical and political changes the Internet has on the world.
Fairlie, R (2004) Race and the Digital Divide, Contributions to Economic Analysis and Policy, viewed 11 October 2004, <http://www.bepress.com/bejeap/contributions/vol3/iss1/art15/ >
Novak, T, Hoffman, D (1998) Bridging the Digital Divide: The Impact of Race on Computer Access and Internet Use, Vanderbilt University, viewed 11 October 2004, <http://elab.vanderbilt.edu/research/papers/html/manuscripts/race/science.html >
Nakamura, L (2002) Cybertypes: Race, Ethnicity, and Identity on the Internet, Routledge, London ISBN 0415938368
Runne, J (2001) Race and the Internet, Entrepreneur.com, viewed 8 September 2004, <http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_SegArticle/0,4621,288556,00.html >
Fridman, S (2000) Money, Not Race Underlies Digital Divide, Computeruser.com, viewed 17 October 2004, <http://www.computeruser.com/news/00/06/19/news18.html >
Katy Clarke 16:45, 20 Oct 2004 (EST)
