The information have’s and have nots
The social impact of the Internet has concerned many commentators since the Internet has the effect of accentuating the differences, both within a society, in a single country and between different nations. Within a country, the Internet may lead to ‘social exclusion’ where only the privileged have access to it. The United Nations, in a 1999 report on human development noted that parallel worlds are developing where ‘those with income, education and – literally – connections have cheap and instantaneous access to information. The rest are left with uncertain, slow and costly access’. It notes further that ‘the advantage of being connected will overpower the marginal and impoverished, cutting off their voices and concerns from the global conversation’.
More developed countries with the economies to support it, are promoting the use of IT and the Internet through social programmes such as the UK Labour Governments ‘Computers for All initiative’ which offers training to children and adults and access to computers through libraries and shopping centres. Governments also regulate the telecommunications company to widen access by ensuring the price of basic and broadband access is kept as low as possible.