ED399126 RC020726
Title: Falling through the Net: A Survey of the "Have Nots"
in Rural and Urban America.
Author Affiliation: National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(DOC), Washington, DC.(BBB19843)
Pages: 42
Publication Date: July 1995
Notes: Includes 30 color-coded bar charts that will not reproduce
adequately.
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC02 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data (110); Reports--Research
(143)
Geographic Source: U.S.; District of Columbia
Journal Announcement: RIEJAN1997
Government Level: Federal
In November
1994, the Current Population Survey included questions on ownership
and usage of computers and modems in addition to its customary questions
on telephone "penetration." Data from this survey were
cross-tabulated according to income, race, age, educational attainment,
region, and geographic category (rural, urban, and central city)
to create a profile of those not connected to the National Information
Infrastructure. Overall, the poorest central-city households (incomes
less than $10,000) had the lowest telephone penetration (79.8 percent),
but the rural poor had the lowest computer penetration (4.5 percent)
and, among households with computers, were least likely to have
a modem. However, the most likely users of online classes were low-income
users in all areas. With regard to racial categories,
rural Native Americans had the lowest telephone penetration (75.5
percent), while rural Blacks had the lowest computer rates (6.4
percent). Regarding usage of online services, minority groups surpassed
Whites in percentage of classified ad searches, taking courses,
and accessing government reports. By age group, telephone penetration
was lowest among the youngest rural households, while computer penetration
was lowest among rural and central-city seniors and the youngest
rural households. With some exceptions, educational attainment (tables
10-12) was related to telephone, computer, and modem penetration.
For a given level of education, central-city households had the
lowest telephone and computer penetration and rural households with
computers had the lowest modem penetration. Participation in online
courses was highest among those with the lowest educational attainment.
Includes definitions and 30 data tables illustrated with bar charts.
(SV)
Descriptors: Computers; *Disadvantaged; Distance Education; Educational
Attainment; *Inner City; Internet; Minority Groups; *Modems; Poverty;
*Rural Areas; Tables (Data); Telephone Communications Systems; *Urban
Areas
Identifiers: Access to Computers; *Computer Ownership; Computer
Users; Current Population Survey; *National Information Infrastructure
