New technologies meet old inequities.
This trend, commonly known as the digital divide, is characterized by growing gap between different segments of society, in computer and Internet access and use. The topic of the digital divide has been the focus of increasing media attention, appearing regularly on television and in newspapers, magazines and educational publications. It has been the subject of national conferences and extensive research reports. The U.S. Department of Commerce has published a website to inform the public about the digital divide and the initiatives aimed at closing it. And there have been noteworthy efforts in both the private and public sectors.