The Internet delivers social and economic value to those individuals using it effectively … It is not at all surprising that this trend parallels a 10-year trend in widening income gaps as the information economy becomes more pervasive. Universal service policy needs to address these growing inequities. A universal service policy that could encourage a leveling effect between the information haves and have-nots should be developed for the National Information Infrastructure and specifically the public Internet … It would combine market incentives and individual tax credits to increase computer ownership among low-income households, promote development of public access network services, and fund network literacy programs through adult education programs, public libraries, and schools.
Predictor: Civille, Richard
Prediction, in context:The 1995 book “Public Access to the Internet,” edited by Brian Kahin and James Keller carries the chapter, “The Internet and the Poor” by Richard Civille., executive director of the Center for Civic Networking, a non-profit organization dedicated to the application of information infrastructure to community and economic development. He writes: ”The Internet delivers social and economic value to those individuals using it effectively … It is not at all surprising that this trend parallels a 10-year trend in widening income gaps as the information economy becomes more pervasive. Universal service policy needs to address these growing inequities. A universal service policy that could encourage a leveling effect between the information haves and have-nots should be developed for the National Information Infrastructure and specifically the public Internet. Such a policy would have a federal framework, that is, a minimal set of standards and expectations set by national legislation. However, this federal framework would need to provide state and local jurisdictions considerable flexibility and decision-making capacity. It would combine market incentives and individual tax credits to increase computer ownership among low-income households, promote development of public access network services, and fund network literacy programs through adult education programs, public libraries, and schools.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure
Subtopic: Universal Service
Name of publication: Public Access to the Internet (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: The Internet and the Poor
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 194, 195
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne