The Dual Digital Divide

The purpose of this study was to analyze Canadian households at the margins in terms of access to the Information Highway, generally considered to be the Internet. These households have been described as the " have-nots " or " non-users. " The study provides a better understanding of the attitudes, practices and the needs of those who are not connected to the Internet, and the circumstances under which some of these non-users are likely to go online. Analysis was based on a number of research questions. These included: How do we account for some members of social subgroups being online and not others? What are the most important factors or variables that affect decisions by people whether to be online? What are the different types of non-user groups? How important is cost/affordability as a barrier or obstacle to access? What policy options are available to address connectivity problems? The findings of the report were based on several methodologies. A review was conducted of reports, articles, and other documents from sources which included Industry Canada, Human Resources Development Canada, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and statistical analysis by Statistics Canada and the National Telecommunications and Information Agency on the issue of the digital divide. In addition, a review and detailed multivariate analysis was undertaken on the results of the 1997-1998 study the Information Highway and the Canadian Communications Household to create a typology of non-users (Ekos Research Associates Inc.). Analysis in this study is correlated with the strategies, goals, and the access and content development models of the federal departments Industry Canada and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). These two departments operate major programs that, together, have the goals of facilitating access, individual and community development, and content development on the Internet. The study also identifies the implications and opportunities for other federal departments, such as Heritage Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) and other levels of government to address issues involving access and content. Canadians have experienced the burgeoning growth of the Information Highway and the Internet over the past few years. However, the levels of awareness and the use of these new technologies and services are highly polarized along social class and generational lines, creating a digital divide. From 1997 through 1999, higher-income households were three times more likely than lower-income households to have home access. By 1999, about two-thirds of upper-income households had access from home, as …