Life in the Network

To me, access means the capability of getting onto the internet. I would

argue that it means one has physical access to technology. I completely

understand how ineffective the internet is if a person does not know how to use it,

what is available, and why it is helpful and of value to use. Education is key to

teaching the elderly, the young, and anyone without prior knowledge, how to use

the internet as a helpful tool. Unfortunately, nobody has had the same

experience with the internet, so it is hard to gauge where there understanding of

its function really is. As for Krista's relative who is afraid of putting herself out on

the internet, I still believe she has access, but just not an understanding of internet

security. Here, I sense she might have a case of " 'cautious clicking' " which is "a
behavior trait of many older internet users who may share a sense that one false

move on the Web could land them in unknown or unsafe territory" (PEW 2).
The immigrant example is a case-in-point of how a group of people

have perfect access, but not the right knowledge. This is too bad because there

are some people who have access but resist the internet due to other factors. ". .

. resistance is often related to a general misconception of what the Web and

email have to offer. In other cases, reluctance is connected to specific obstacles,

fears, or previous online experiences" (PEW 4).
Real, usable access, I suppose, would mean teaching a user all the

capabilities of the internet, its limitations, its security and dangers and its

uniqueness. If everyone understood this, and had access, it would be a much

more level playing field.
I would hope that one day all adults could be online. But, the internet

should not be a right, it should be a privilege. So everyone -- excluding felons,

internet-addicts, and anyone else that does not have the common good in mind--

should have access to the internet. As well, that same group should have the

opportunity to learn about the internet. Like many things that are

education-based, some users will have more reasons and ability to access the

internet more often, and therefore--know more about it. I think it could be a goal,

but I have never thought about it that way. It could turn out to become a

destructive tool if the internet gets into the hands of the wrong people. I think

children should learn from their parents. I do not always agree that children

should have the freedom to teach themselves and surf the internet too much. I

think that children need guidelines, guidance, and a guardian keeping them in

line (Just like any other activity, kids need rules.)
Lack of access or knowledge of the internet for low-income families

poses a problem just like many other things these families do not have access to.

Proof of this comes from the PEW study that, "While 40% of adults who have

less than a high school education use the internet, 64% of adults with a high

school degree go online. Among those who have some college education, 84%

use the internet, and 91% of adults with at least a college degree go online"

(Madden 4). If they cannot learn and utilize the internet, they are really put at a

disadvantage to those who are in constant contact with it, and who are accustom

and informed about all of its wonderful features and usefulness.
The positive parts of the one-laptop per child program are obvious:

everyone gains when everyone has the opportunity and chance to try and

succeed. But, sometimes, these types of goals are unrealistic. Providing free

services and donations can only reach so far and so many people. I think the

combination of technology and the basics of food, clothing, etc. would be the

best. It is a challenge, though, to decide which should come first. One would

hope that access to the internet would help those in 3rd world countries learn

about what "could be." But, its also like teaching a 2nd grader how to do

Calculus IV. Sometimes, its best to go step by step and not skip the basics and

important, fundamental parts of a civilized country. One missing step would be

instituting and education system or a working government.