Life in the Network

I have heard the question of access from classes before and have found it to be a complex topic. This is because there are so many different ways that people are denied access to the Internet. I believe that access has two different definitions for different generations. For those that cannot understand or do not want to understand the Internet they are preventing themselves access while those that cannot afford to get online are physically being prevented from going online. My definition of access is: A person that has the will and ability to gain entrance onto the Internet and has the understanding what to do when they reach it. I believe this definition takes into account both problems with access. Only those that understand the Internet and its capabilities have true access.

I don't know if it is a good thing if all adults were online. From watching Dateline and seeing research there are plenty of predators I think that giving the chance for all adults to get on the internet is a bad idea because of the potential consequences that many could bring. Also, there are those that do not take advantage to get online so why should we bother getting adults online? It should not be up to the taxpayers or government to worry about adults. However, I totally agree with the fact that all children should get online. According to the PEW research 91% of those that have at least a college degree go online. This proves how necessary it is to teach children to use it because it is the key to their future. Learning the Internet gives lower-class children to learn on the same level as their middle class and upper class counterparts. Along with this, I think that elementary schools should require education using the Internet because by the stats from the PEW research allow children to go farther in life.

Schools need to allow those that are not fortunate enough to use computers. The barriers of cost and learning the internet have to come into account. Again it is obvious from the PEW research that those that do not have access to the internet fall behind in school and in life. It is sad that we now require knowledge of the internet to get a head in life but we have moved away from conventional, cheaper, methods of communication and have moved to a more expensive form.

There are both positives and negatives to the One Laptop to Every Child Program. The positives include learning the internet, connecting with other children around the world, and looking for an increased use of online features for businesses, marketing, and schools. Some of the negatives include cost, the potential of violence that could come from adults stealing these laptops, and the fact that there is not real way to ensure that every child will get a laptop. While it is a good, innovative idea, I do not believe that it can happen. There are too many obstacles and not enough resources that will give these children the opportunity to receive a laptop.

I think that while the Internet is an amazing thing, not everyone needs it to get by. I know plenty of elderly people that do not use it and they do just fine. My grandmother does not use it and she stays current. She has no need for a computer and neither do many other elderly individuals. I do not think that elderly people are "timid" as stated in PEW research they just do not care that much. They don't enjoy the internet and have no reason to use it. Why should we be pushing this fact when seniors do not care if they get online when there are children that have to get online in order to get a suitable education.