WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A new survey of technology haves and have-nots says the federal government should back off legislating a bridge to span the digital divide unless legislation addresses the real needs of people who don't have Internet access in their homes.

Rather than providing tax breaks to corporations to build information technology infrastructure, public policy should provide people with technological skills, experience and the wherewithal to bring information technology into their homes, according to "Disconnected, Disadvantaged and Disenfranchised" the latest report to survey who is wired at home and who is not.

An Information Age-version of the Herbert Hoover presidential campaign promise of "a chicken in every pot," the survey suggests Internet hook-ups for all.

"Bills currently before Congress, like S. 2698 (The Broadband Internet Access Act of 2000), which aim to bridge the digital divide by giving tax breaks to corporations for building infrastructure are misguided," said Gene Kimmelman, Co-director of Consumers Union's Washington Office.

"We should direct tax dollars or subsidies to the people who cannot afford technology, not to corporations," Kimmelman added.

Earlier this year, CU, publisher of Consumer Reports, along with the Consumer Federation of America, compiled the answers of 1,900 respondents and found that 47 percent of the respondents do not have access to the Internet at home and that they are much more likely to be lower income, older and minority households (The findings have a 3 percent plus or minus margin for error).

The digital divide is not a chasm caused by the failure of those without access to appreciate technology's importance, the study found, but more often an issue of cost.

Approximately 93 percent of those without access believe that computer skills are vital, 83 percent believe that understanding technology is critical to success, and 84 percent believe that children learn more when they have access to technology.

However, even with some Internet service providers offering free access, two-thirds of the disconnected say the Internet is too expensive, according to the study.

Those not wired to the Net have much less confidence in their ability to use these technologies. Only 21 percent of those disconnected consider themselves computer savvy, compared to 57 percent of those who are connected.

Half the disconnected say they do not know what the Internet is or how it could help them, compared to one-eight of those with Web surfing capability at home.

The report pinpoints the steps to be taken to overcome the digital divide by exploring attitudes toward and experience with information-age technologies.

"Once policy makers understand that these vulnerable groups are harmed by their lack of access to technology, they should begin to seek cost effective avenues to address this deprivation," said Kimmelman.

"People of every age, income and race are concerned that technological advances are widening the gap between rich and poor and fear that the information revolution will leave many behind."

The report says digital deprivation could create far reaching socioeconomic ills. Not only are the disconnected cut off from important personal, cultural and civic activities available on the Web, but businesses effectively segment the market by restricting marketing activities to cyberspace. Instead of toll-free 800 numbers, advertisers may give Web site addresses for further information about jobs not advertised in physical space.

"Public policy to close the digital divide should build human capital by giving people the capital skills to use information age technologies, the experience to make them comfortable with these technologies and the resources to obtain the necessary hardware at home, where they conduct their daily activities," the report says.

Published: October 20, 2000

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A journalist for 35-years, Broderick Perkins parlayed an old-school daily newspaper career into a digital news service offering editorial content and consulting services. Perkins' San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group includes the flagship news site, DeadlineNews.Com, offering real estate, personal finance and consumer journalism, and a backshop, the Deadline Newsroom.