Digital Divide, Mobile Use Negatively Impact Latinos

An interesting analysis from the Associated Press hints that, although Latinos and African-Americans have managed to overcome big parts of the digital divide through cell phones, there are bigger underlying issues. Latinos and African-Americans are more likely to use their phones to access the Internet, thus, they are able to sidestep not having broadband Internet or computers at home.

Specifically, 51% of Latinos and 46% of African-Americans use their phones to access the Internet, whereas only 33% percent of whites do this. Email is accessed by 47% of Latinos, 41% of African-Americans, and 30% of whites; and 36% of Latinos, 33% of African-Americans and 19% of whites use their phones to access Facebook. Whites still have greater access to broadband Internet, but most groups have “about even” access to laptops at home.

However, the AP writes:

But now some see a new “digital divide” emerging — with Latinos and blacks being challenged by more, not less, access to technology. It’s tough to fill out a job application on a cellphone, for example. Researchers have noticed signs of segregation online that perpetuate divisions in the physical world. And blacks and Latinos may be using their increased Web access more for entertainment than empowerment…

In a nutshell, just having Internet access isn’t enough anymore. You need a computer to be able to compete in the world, so as Carlos Guerra would say, which do you  need more:  A computer or a big screen TV?