BBC NEWS | Special Reports | 2003 | The iGeneration

BBC NEWS | Special Reports | 2003 | The iGeneration: "Digital snapshots Global picture of the net's spread and gaps"

Pew Internet: Riding the Waves of "Web 2.0"

Pew Internet: Riding the Waves of "Web 2.0": "“Web 2.0” has become a catch-all buzzword that people use to describe a wide range of online activities and applications, some of which the Pew Internet & American Life Project has been tracking for years. As researchers, we instinctively reach for our spreadsheets to see if there is evidence to inform the hype about any online trend. This article provides a short history of the phrase, along with new traffic data from Hitwise to help frame the discussion."

America: The Growing Digital Divide

America: The Growing Digital Divide: "A new study (pdf) published by the Pew Internet & American Life Project has found that there is a growing digital divide across America. John B. Horrigan’s analysis of America’s use of Web 2.0 and information and communications technology in the broader sense shows that whilst a reasonable number of Americans are embracing new technology and Web 2.0, a disturbing number are either not getting the message, or are choosing not to participate."

Digital Divide.org

Digital Divide.org: "'Digital Divide' refers to the gap between those who benefit from digital technology and those who do not. (See www.itu.int/ITU-D/digitaldivide) It took digital-divide researchers a whole decade to figure out that the real issue is not so much about access to digital technology but about the benefits derived from it. Examining the situation more closely, it turns out that upper-to-middle classes have high-quality access to digital technology because the profit motive pushes technologists to work hard at creating 'solutions' designed specifically for them. In this equation, however, the poor are ignored because the assumption is that designing solutions for them will not be profitable.[1] The result is that even where the poor are provided access to digital technology, it is low-quality. Furthermore, the digital technology they do have access to is often of a design that ends up being harmful rather than beneficial. This, in turn, widens the digital divide."

The Digital Divide Network

The Digital Divide Network:

"The Digital Divide Network is the Internet's largest community for educators, activists, policy makers and concerned citizens working to bridge the digital divide. At DDN, you can build your own online community, publish a blog, share documents and discussions with colleagues, and post news, events and articles. You can also find the archived discussion lists of the DIGITAL DIVIDE listserv. Membership is free and open to all, so join today!"