Internet Usage: Is it Just Black vs. White?

Paul Chenoweth takes the Pew Internet & American Life Project to task for focusing on the differences between black and white users of the Web. With significant differences in several cultural groups he's right to wonder why the focus in the study seems to be along racial lines.

...in terms of reporting, this is not an issue of discrimination of one race over another and the very hint of such in the exclusive black vs white comparison in the articles only propagates stereotypical cultural differences and historical prejudice. Internet connectivity is not a race to the finish line between two cultures any more than it is an effort of one race to become more technologically superior over another. Internet connectivity is a societal and cultural challenge that crosses many boundaries, and race is perhaps one of the least of those.

For those of working the in field of educational web publishing the differences in groups are important benchmarks to keep in mind. While the Pew studies are generally quite good at focusing on scientifically collected data, I agree with Paul that at times the conclusions that the researchers draw are bit off the mark. Certainly we should keep an eye on how different groups use the Web and the implications those trends have in our work, but as Paul says it's important not to fall into a simple black and white comparison.

via Teaching and Developing Online