June 25, 2008

Survey finds digital divide in California

California's social and economic stratification extends to Internet access and use, according to a new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California.

Overall, Californians' Internet use closely parallels that of the nation as a whole, the survey found, with some 78 percent of adults regularly using a computer at home or work and 73 percent using the Internet.

However, computer and Internet use is more prevalent among better educated and more affluent Californians, and Latinos' use of the technology is only about two-thirds that of white Californians.

Among English-speaking and/or U.S.-born Latinos, though, computer and Internet use is above average. Asian Americans have the highest technology connection of any ethnic group.

The state's highest rates of computer and Internet use were found in Orange and San Diego counties, with the Bay Area slightly behind, according to the survey.

The full survey is available through PPIC's Web site, here.

Posted by Dan Walters on June 25, 2008 10:00 PM