It was a bit perspective-altering to be with my family this weekend and realize that three have G1s and two more have other smartphone types of devices. And that's their primary computing device.

Think about it though: why buy a computer -- which can cost at least $600 -- just to surf the internet? Why not buy a smartphone which lets you make phone calls *and* lets you surf the internet, is way more portable, and costs about $200 up front?

One of my issues with reports about black Internet and tech usage is that there is rarely exploration of HOW we use Internet and technology. And there is never anything that correlates our usage within a bigger picture. For example, this morning I had a weird Twitter experience but none of the people I follow shared in it b/c they were primarily using mobile devices to tweet while I was using a computer. That's the bigger picture. I plan to do a follow up on this story b/c I just received a statement that refutes the Pew findings. Stay tuned.

I agree both Tiffany & Robin. For our generation of black youth and young adults, accessing the net through our mobile phones is more convenient than having to carry our laptop with us everywhere. The Pew Internet is actually beating the same drum from last year. Black folks not having access to broadband internet in urban communities is nothing new. Most researchers that study the digital divide/broadband access have moved beyond just focusing on who has access to the web and broadband technology, but how are people using the different technologies and how effectively are they using the technologies. The truth of the matter is black America not only lags behind in broadband access, but also our skill level on the Internet and with technology in general is being questioned.

For example, earlier this year I ran across research done by Dr. Eszter Hargittai at the Northwestern University Web Use Project. Recently she presented research called ‘The Second-Level Digital Divide Differences in Young People’s Internet Uses.’

This is what her research found in a nutshell about black youth/blacks in general:

African-Americans exhibit lower levels of know-how when it comes to overall Internet skills (a.k.a know-how). In other words, she is saying that ‘some’ African-Americans have access to the Internet and mobile phones, however we lack the knowledge and skills needed to find content on the web. Keep in mind we were lumped in with Hispanics, Old People, and you guessed it, women!

Here is the link: http://www.indire.it/convegno/nml/_file/pdf/HAR...


The unfortunate verdict is this (one man's opinion based on the research I've done and what I see), mostly when it comes to how blacks are seen in the tech community, we're either not seen at all or we're just seen as consumers of technology and that's it.

Mikey Digital
Black Digerati

Mikey, thank you for providing that link and the information, in general. If the Pew folks read the content on this site, then they'd figure out that they probably need to do their research a lot more thoroughly for their next report. Read Sherri Smith's article on Digital Elders on our site, you'll find it informative as well. My concern for urban users of Broadband/Internet and our urban kids is that they are not equipped to be competitive in the global job market. Hopefully, that will change very soon.

Poorer communities will always lag in computer penetration -- the good thing is that computers are coming waaaaay down. Those little mini laptops go for like 300 bucks now. As the price of PCs go down these numbers will start to even out over time. I've said it time and time again though...there aren't enough black organizations emphasizing the importance of tech in inner city and black oriented communities though and these kids need to learn the internet is much more than getting a fix from a gossip, hair, or fashion blog...that doesnt make you internet savvy because you know those. They need to learn about technology and how to exploit it to explore their dreams and passions no matter what it is

All of you 30-somethings who had eye opening empathizers to waking up and bettering yourself ala Public Enemy, KRS-one, BET's Teen Summit, Cosby Show in prime time are forgetting the youth of today who are for the most part infatuated with nothing but gossip, sex tapes, and all other things pop culture.

Step up and be a role model and lets change these numbers. I've personally purchased over 100 computers and given them to college bound youth below the poverty line in my state. Every little bit counts! Get involved like Obama says and together we can make that change