As hard as it may be to believe, according to a study by research firm Parks Associates, nearly 20% of the population of the United States is disconnected from the Internet and has never used email. In their annual phone survey of U.S. households, Parks Associates found 20 million households are without Internet access, approximately 18% of the U.S.
Of those 20 million households, only 7% plan to subscribe to an Internet service within the next year. The survey was conducted among 1,088 households and has a margin of error of +/- 3%. The study, National Technology Scan, noted that age and education are a significant factor in the results, with 50% of those who have never used e-mail 65 or older, with 56% having no schooling beyond high school.
The full study has not yet been released, but in the press release previewing the study, John Barrett, director, research, Parks Associates said:
"Nearly one out of three household heads has never used a computer to create a document. These data underscore the significant digital divide between the connected majority and the homes in the unconnected minority that rarely, if ever, use a computer."
"Internet connections have slowly increased in U.S. households, but getting the disconnected minority online will continue to be difficult. Age and economics are important factors, but the heart of the challenge is deeper. Many people just don’t see a reason to use computers and do not associate technology with the needs and demands of their daily lives."
It's quite amazing that nearly 20% of the U.S. hasn't used the Internet. When I had an Internet outage earlier this year, I felt that lack of the Internet was far more problematic than lack of TV would be. I can't imagine being without it, and would definitely make a decision on housing based on whether or not I could get broadband in that area.
Source: By Tech Ex
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
