Access and Social Policy

he rigidity and persistence of a digital divide raises an important social policy issue for government. There is also an important economic policy dimension about the Internet in terms of individual access. In this, as a means to go online, purchase content or services, the Internet has obvious benefits and a role as part of our overall national economic development. At the same time, commodity purchases using the Internet is an optional, as opposed to essential, service for Canadians.

In terms of social policy, in many respects the Internet is nearing importance as an essential service. The Internet is bound up with other related information and communication technologies and content that have wide ranging relevance to a number of needs. Among others, these needs include: the necessary skills to participate in economic and social activities in society; gaining more timely access to, and benefiting from, a diverse array of public and private content resources; the improved delivery of public information and services from public organizations who provide important social infrastructure in our communities.

At the same time, there is also a tension in the development and use of the Internet by the public. While the use of the Internet offers a wide range of opportunities and benefits to users, it is also showing signs of moving from ‘novelty’ status, to that of the common place or ‘banal’ with other technologies in the household.⁵ This means that while useful, the Internet is increasingly being seen by part of the public as less remarkable as an innovation, and more a standard, optional form of communication sitting in a room or on a shelf with other technologies, such as television. This, in part, accounts for why a majority of those without home access (64 per cent) have no plans for getting this in the near future.⁶

While a majority of Canadians had Internet access from home in 2001, as discussed earlier, this is still very much based on class, particularly income, in addition to a lack of perceived interest or need. These findings illustrate the tension between those who still wish to learn about new technologies, go online and benefit from this, and those who either have no interest or perceive the ‘banal’ and will likely be late adopters, or never go online.

⁵ Mosco, V., (2002) “The Party’s Over: Social Policy for Citizenship in an Information Society”, unpublished.
⁶ EKOS Research Associates Inc., (2001) Rethinking the Information Highway.