1. Solutions to Digital Inequality
in the State of Idaho
Lynette McDougal
Chief Technology Advisor to the State
Superintendent of Public Instruction

2. Digital Divide versus Digital
Inequality
 Digital Divide
◦ the gap between those
with and without regular,
effective access to digital
technologies and those
who do not1
 Digital Inequality
◦ the differences in formal
access to the Internet
amongst a population2

3. Five Dimensions of Digital
Inequality
1. Equipment
2. Autonomy of use
3. Skill
4. Social support
5. Type of Internet useage

4. Internet Access in Idaho
• In 2000, 42.3% of households in Idaho
had Internet access3
• In 2006, 66.7% of households in Idaho
had Internet access4
0.0%
25.0%
50.0%
75.0%
100.0%
42.3%
66.7%
percentage
Year
Percentage of Families with Internet
Access in Idaho
2000 2006

5. Which Groups Tend to Lack
Internet Access in Idaho
• Families with an annual income of less than
$15,000
• Single parent income families
• Education level of head of household is a high
school diploma or lower
• Individuals over the age of 50 years old
• Individuals with disabilities
3All data on this page was obtained from Falling through the Net: Toward digital inclusion. (2000

6. Primary Uses of Internet
•Send and receive E-mail
•Online shopping and bill paying
•Job seeking
•Information gathering
•Online education

7. Proposals submitted by the State
Superintendent of Public Instruction
1. Install computers in all public libraries in the state and
expand the hours when computers are available.
2. Expand staffing and other resources so that public schools
can be open to the public after normal school hours, on
weekends, and during the summer months.
3. Provide individuals in disadvantaged communities with
computers.
4. Provide high-speed Internet and mobile access for all state
residents.
5. Subsidize Internet Service Providers to provide low-cost
Internet to all state residents.
6. Provide information literacy courses to enhance computer
skills and enable knowledgeable use of digital technologies.
7. Develop free online educational content, giving first priority to
content most relevant to lower socio-economic groups before
content that is relevant to the rest of the public.

8. Additional Proposals Worth
Thinking About
i. Allow middle and high school students to
lease computers.
ii. Expand WiFi access in public areas.

9. 1. Install computers in all public libraries in
the state and expand the hours when
computers are available.
Advantages Disadvantages
Accessible to all citizens No autonomy of use
Internet access already
established
Internet censorship
Personal security risk

10. 2. Expand staffing and other resources so
that public schools can be open to the
public after normal school hours, on
weekends, and during the summer
months.
Advantages Disadvantages
Accessible to all citizens No autonomy of use
Internet access already
established
Internet censorship
Personal security risk
Additional costs associated with
additional building
usage, extended staffing and
security

11. 3. Provide individuals in disadvantaged
communities with computers.
Advantages Disadvantages
Provides equipment to
underserved groups
Costly to maintain
Autonomy of use Usage is not guaranteed
Does not provide Internet access
4. Provide high-speed Internet and mobile
access for all state residents.
Advantages Disadvantages
Provides Internet access to
underserved groups
Internet usage is not guaranteed
Autonomy of use Does not provide equipment

12. 5. Subsidize Internet Service Providers to
provide low-cost Internet to all state
residents.
Advantages Disadvantages
Provides Internet access at a
more affordable rate
Infrastructure costs to expand to
Internet access to rural areas
Autonomy of use
6. Provide information literacy courses to
enhance computer skills and enable
knowledgeable use of digital
technologies.Advantages Disadvantages
Gives users the skills necessary
to use the Internet
Does not provide Internet access

13. 7. Develop free online educational content,
giving first priority to content most relevant
to lower socio-economic groups before
content that is relevant to the rest of the
public.
Advantages Disadvantages
Provide users the experience
and skills necessary to use the
Internet
Does not provide equipment or
Internet access

14. i. Allow middle and high school students to
lease computers.
Advantages Disadvantages
Provides users with equipment Does not provide Internet access
ii. Expand WiFi access in public areas.
Advantages Disadvantages
Accessible to all citizens Does not provide equipment

15. Most Favorable Proposals
• Subsidize Internet Service Providers to provide low-cost
Internet to all state residents.
• Expand WiFi access in public areas.
• Allow middle and high school students to lease computers.
• Provide information literacy courses to enhance computer
skills and enable knowledgeable use of digital
technologies.
• Install computers in all public libraries in the state and
expand the hours when the computers are available.

16. Least Favorable Proposals
• Provide individuals in disadvantaged communities with
computers.
• Provide high-speed Internet and mobile access for all state
residents.
• Develop free online educational content, giving first priority
to content most relevant to lower socio-economic groups
before content that is relevant to the rest of the public.
• Expand staffing and other resources so that public schools
can be open to the public after normal school hours, on
weekends, and during the summer months.

17. References
Hargittai, E. (2003). The digital divide and what to do about it. New
Economy Handbook, 821-839. Retrieved from
http://www.eszter.com/research/pubs/hargittai-digitaldivide.pdf
DiMaggio, P., Hargittai, E., Celeste, C., & Shafer, S. (2004). From
unequal access to differentiated use: A literature review and
agenda for research on digital inequality.Social Inequality, 355-400.
Retrieved from http://www.eszter.com/research/pubs/dimaggio-
etal-digitalinequality.pdf
U.S. Dept of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration
(ESA), and National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) (2000). Falling through the Net: Toward
digital inclusion. Retrieved from
http://search.ntia.doc.gov/pdf/fttn00.pdf
Senate Declares June Internet Safety Month. (2006). Retrieved
from
http://crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=2
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