African Americans still lag Online.
October 20, 2007
Has the digital divide disappeared? Unfortunately, no.
African Americans are becoming more active online. In fact, eMarketer estimates that they will make up 11.8% of all US Internet users in 2011, up from 10.8% in 2006.
In raw numbers, that represents a rise from 19.6 million users in 2006 to 25 million in 2011.
African-American Internet Users and Penetration, 2006-2011 (millions and % of total African-American population ages 3+)
Yet, despite the fact that the costs of computer equipment and Internet access have fallen over the last few years, making the Internet accessible to all demographic groups, including African Americans, there continues to be a significant digital divide between White and Black America.
“African Americans still lag behind the general population in Internet usage,” says Mike Chapman, eMarketer Editorial Director and author of the new report African Americans Online.
Data from The Pew Internet & American Life Project confirm the fact.
“But the gap is closing,” says Mr. Chapman.
eMarketer forecasts that 61.5% of African Americans will be regular Internet users in 2011, up from 51.2% in 2006.
Courtesy of http://www.emarketer.com
