ED112: Internet Trends and the Impact to Poverty Law September 19, 2008

ED112: Internet Trends and ED112: Internet Trends and the Impact to Poverty Lawthe Impact to Poverty Law

September 19, 2008

Today’s PresenterToday’s PresenterJeff Narabrook, NTAP Training

Coordinator

Agenda TodayAgenda TodayLatest

Demographic Trends◦ Income◦ Race◦ Education◦ Age ◦ Geography◦ Broadband◦ Online Activities ◦ Mobile Users

Implications for Legal Aid ◦ LiveHelp◦ Statewide

Websites◦ A2J◦ Texting

Is there a Digital Divide in Is there a Digital Divide in 2008? 2008? Digital divide discussion

increasingly focus on international issues

Broadband is current policy focusAlthough much progress has been

made in creating an accessible network, the work of removing more complex barriers remains: ◦Literacy◦Computer and internet literacy◦Lack of interest in using ICT

Problems with Available Problems with Available StatisticsStatisticsImprecision; inconsistent terminology

African American, Blacks, Black Americans Hispanic, Latino Little data available on Native Americans and

Asian Pacific Islanders Generalize about ‘Americans’ rather than

habitants

Difficult to ascertain who would be low-income according to LSC standards

$30,000 or below numbers can reflect students with future earning potential well-above poverty line

It does not take family size into account

Frame of referenceFrame of reference2007 Client Stats2007 Client Stats

Source: LSC 2007 Factbookhttp://www.lsc.gov/pdfs/factbook2007.pdf

Analysis by incomeAnalysis by incomeQuiz StatsMost common points of access

among low-income users WIC participant study

IncomeIncome

Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project (http://www.pewinternet.org/trends.asp)

Income and Time Spent Income and Time Spent OnlineOnline

Source: Internet adoption and usage patterns are different: Implications for the digital divide, Information Economics and Policy, March 2008

WIC Participants and Internet WIC Participants and Internet UseUse2 year period of multiple studies

to determine how internet can help eliminate health disparities

52-95% of WIC participants interviewed reported “easy access” to internet

Nearly 50% owned a computer

Source: Abstract of “Internet access among low-income WIC populations,” http://apha.confex.com/apha/135am/techprogram/paper_151526.htm

Analysis by RaceAnalysis by RaceQuizStatsCase study: Latino users online

RaceRace

Source: Pew, “Demographics of Internet Users,” July 2008

Race: Latinos OnlineRace: Latinos Online As a group 56% of Latinos are online

◦ 78% English-dominant◦ 76% bilingual ◦ 32% Spanish-dominant

76% of U.S. born Latinos go online, as compared with 43% foreign-born◦ Some of this is related to language, but

being foreign-born seems to be an independent factor associated with a decreased likelihood of going online

Source: Pew, “Latinos Online,” March 2007, (http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/Latinos_Online_March_14_2007.pdf)

Analysis by Level of Analysis by Level of EducationEducationBasic statsEducation and Race

EducationEducation

Education and Race Education and Race The percentage of those who have

not completed high school and are online: ◦White 32%◦Hispanic 31%◦African American 25%

However, there is higher percentage of Latino adults who have not finished high school compared to non-Hispanic whites and African Americans

Source: Pew, “Latinos Online,” March 2007, (http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/Latinos_Online_March_14_2007.pdf)

Analysis By AgeAnalysis By AgeStatsDemographic age shifts in

coming years

Internet Use by Age Internet Use by Age

Population Age Projections Population Age Projections

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Projected Population of the United States, by Age and Sex: 2000 to 2050 http://www.census.gov/population/www/projections/usinterimproj/natprojtab02a.pdf

Wired Seniors Wired Seniors Although they are the fastest

growing group, most growth comes from those just entering their senior years, rather than new adoption by current seniors

In 2006, 34% of 65+ went online, but only 28% of 70+, which has remained a relatively static number

Source: Pew, Are “Wired Seniors” Sitting Ducks?, 2006 http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Wired_Senior_2006_Memo.pdf

Analysis by Geography Analysis by Geography

Why does rural adoption Why does rural adoption lag? lag? Population tends to be olderHigher share of low-income

families Rural Americans are, on average,

less educated than urban and suburban Americans

Source, Pew, “Rural Broadband Internet Use,” February 2006 (http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Rural_Broadband.pdf)

All Whites (76%)

All Blacks (56%)

English-Speaking Hispanics

(79%)

18-29 Years Old (92%)

30-49 Years Old (85%)

50-64 Years Old (72%)

65+ Years Old (37%)

No High School Degree (38%)

College Graduates (93%)

<$30K Income (61%)

>$75K Income (93%)

Men (76%)Women

(74%)

*Source: Pew Internet & American Life Survey, December 2007. http://www.pewinternet.org

** This statistic comes from the Pew Internet Project’s Latinos Online data, collected June-October, 2006.

High School Graduates (67%)

Urban (77%)

Rural (64%)

Suburban (77%)

Spanish-Dominant Hispanics (32%)**

Who is online?Who is online?

Broadband AdoptionBroadband Adoption

Source: Pew, “Home Broadband Adoption 2008,” July 2008 http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Broadband_2008.pdf

Why is Broadband Why is Broadband Important? Important? Necessary to access many online

tools and servicesBroadband includes many options,

including ◦DSL◦Cable Modem◦Fiber◦Wireless◦Satellite◦Broadband over Powerlines (BPL)

Broadband as Predictor of Broadband as Predictor of Online ActivityOnline Activity78% of home broadband users

look online for health information, compared with 70% of home dial-up users.

Home broadband users are twice as likely as home dial-up users to do health research on a typical day -- 12% vs. 6%.

Pew, The Engaged E-patient Population, August 2008, http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/259/report_display.asp

Broadband AdoptionBroadband AdoptionGrowth in broadband adoption

was flat among the poor◦25% of low-income Americans –

those whose household incomes are $20,000 annually or less – reported having broadband at home in April 2008. This compares to the 28% figure reported in March 2007 among those living in households whose annual incomes are $20,000 or less.Source: Pew, “Home Broadband Adoption 2008,” July 2008

http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Broadband_2008.pdf

Broadband AdoptionBroadband AdoptionAfrican Americans showed slow

growth as well, with 43% saying they had broadband at home in April 2008 versus 40% who said this in March 2007.


Broadband AdoptionBroadband AdoptionRural broadband grew but still

lags behind urban and suburban ◦38% of those living in rural American

now have broadband at home, compared with 31% who said this in 2007, or a growth rate of 23% from 2007 to 2008. By comparison, 57% of urban residents have high-speed connections at home now and 60% of suburban residents have such connections.Source: Pew, “Home Broadband Adoption 2008,” July 2008

http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Broadband_2008.pdf

Broadband Availability Broadband Availability

Source: NTIA, Networked Nation: Broadband In America 2007, http://www.ntia.doc.gov/reports/2008/NetworkedNationBroadbandinAmerica2007.pdf

Whites (55%)

Blacks (38%)

English-Speaking Hispanics (57%)

18-29 Years Old (74%)

30-49 Years Old (62%)

50-64 Years Old (49%)

65+ Years Old (20%)



<$30K Income (40%)

>$75K Income (77%)

Men (58%)

Women (50%)

High School Graduates (43%)

Urban (60%)

Suburban (56%)

Rural (42%)

*Source: Pew Internet & American Life Survey, December 2007.

http://www.pewinternet.org

Who has broadband?Who has broadband?

Online activities Online activities Conducting searchesMultimedia Using the internet to find

services

Do you use a search engine Do you use a search engine on a typical day? on a typical day?

Pew, Search Engine Use, August 2008 http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Search_Aug08.pdf

Multimedia Multimedia

Multimedia Multimedia

Do you use the internet to Do you use the internet to address common problems address common problems that might be linked to that might be linked to government? government?

Information searches that solve problems: How people use the internet, libraries, and government agencies when they need help. Pew Internet and American Life Project, 2007. http://pewinternet.org/pdfs/Pew_UI_LibrariesReport.pdf

Are people using the net to Are people using the net to address legal matters? address legal matters?


Low-access users are less Low-access users are less likely to search for solutions likely to search for solutions online online

The low-access population is older, poorer, and less well-educated than the general population: 55% of low-access group live in households earning less than $40,000 a year, compared with 24% of the high-access group.

39% of the low-access group is age 63 or older: only 9% of the high-access group in this age bracket.

64% of the low-access group has a high school education or less, compared with 33% of the high-access group.


Mobile Access Mobile Access

62% of all Americans are part of a wireless, mobile population that participates in digital activities away from home or work

84% of English-speaking Hispanics have cell phones.

74% of white Americans have cell phones.

71% of black Americans have cell phones.

Source: Pew, Mobile Access to Data and Information, March 2008 http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Mobile.Data.Access.pdf

Cell Phone Cell Phone

Whites (74%) Blacks (71%)

English-Speaking Hispanics (84%)

18-29 Years Old (88%)

30-49 Years Old (83%)

50-64 Years Old (70%)

65+ Years Old (50%)



<$30K Income (61%)

>$75K Income (92%)

Men (77%)

Women (73%)High School Graduates

(67%)

Urban (79%)

Suburban (77%)

Rural (62%)

*Source: Pew Internet & American Life Survey, December 2007.

http://www.pewinternet.org

Who has a cell?Who has a cell?

User Attitudes and User Attitudes and Preferences Preferences Sometimes behind the

differences in adoption across age, gender, race, etc, are attitudes and assumptions that add a layer of complexity

Non-broadband adoptersNon-broadband adopters62% of dial-up users say they are not

interested in giving up their current connection for broadband.


Non-broadband adoptersNon-broadband adoptersWhen asked specifically what it would take

to get them to switch to broadband:◦35% of dial-up users say that the price of

broadband service would have to fall.◦19% of dial-up users said nothing would

convince them to get broadband.◦14% of dial-up users – and 24% of dial-up

users in rural America – say that broadband service would have to become available where they live.


Non internet usersNon internet usersNon-users are more than twice as

likely to live in low-income households27% of adult Americans are not

internet users◦ Lack of interest (33%)◦ No access (12%)◦ Too difficult or frustrating (9%)◦ Too expensive (7%)◦ It is a waste of time (7%)


What kind of user are you? What kind of user are you?

“A Typology of Information and Communication Technology Users,” by John Horrigan (May 2007)http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/213/report_display.asp

Tech Adoption Among Tech Adoption Among LawyersLawyers

Source: ABA Journal, Web 2.0 Still A No-go, September 2008http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/web_20_still_a_no_go/#When:13:05:01Z

Tech Adoption Among Tech Adoption Among LawyersLawyers

Source: ABA Journal, Web 2.0 Still A No-go, September 2008http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/web_20_still_a_no_go/#When:13:05:01Z

Implications for Poverty Implications for Poverty Law Law

Does these statistics reflect Does these statistics reflect your field experience? your field experience? Connecticut Legal Services report

on client use of technology in their state:◦51% of callers had access to a

computer◦42% of callers had internet access◦35% of callers had an e-mail account◦31% check e-mail at least once a

week◦58% of callers had a cell phone

The DebateThe Debate◦“Our clients don’t use the Internet.”◦“Our clients shouldn’t use the

Internet for their legal problems.”◦“Computers and the Internet are

luxury items. We need to focus on serving clients who come through our doors.”

Nevertheless…Nevertheless…Large numbers of potential and

current clients clearly are online, and these numbers are likely to increase as the population ages

Online Delivery Models in Online Delivery Models in Poverty Law Poverty Law LiveHelpA2JProgram and Statewide WebsitesCell PhoneEducational/Informational Videos

◦YouTube

LiveHelp Usage TrendsLiveHelp Usage Trends

Timeline:LiveHelp was soft-launched on MontanaLawHelp and IowaLegalAid.org in June 2006, on LawHelp.org/LA in September 2007, on GeorgiaAdvocates.org and ARLegalServices.org in January 2008, and on LawHelpMN.org in May 2008. Information provided by Liz Keith, Pro Bono Net.

LiveHelp Usage TrendsLiveHelp Usage TrendsSelf-reported household income of Montana LiveHelp users (2006-2008) Under 10K: 24% 10K-15K: 26%

Area of law Montana Area of law Montana LiveHelp Users Sought Help LiveHelp Users Sought Help in (2006-2008) in (2006-2008)

A2J Author and NPADO A2J Author and NPADO ServerServerBeing adopted by both legal aid

programs and court systems Has grown immensely in the past

year ◦Illinois Legal Aid Online◦NYC Civil Court◦Idaho Legal Aid Services◦NYC Housing Court

Program and Statewide Program and Statewide WebsitesWebsitesLawHelp consumer site usage in

2007:◦ 2.7 million visitors◦12.6 million page views◦2.2 million resource downloads◦628,000 referral profiles viewed

Websites can be a tool in helping to bridge the broadband divide◦Colorado Legal Services lists information

about where to find library and Wi-Fi hotspots all across the state.

Cell PhoneCell PhoneWebsite browsing still not that

viable on mobile technologies Texting holds great promise for

distributing basic legal education information that can tie into your intake system◦Tenants Rights◦Domestic Violence ◦Immigrant Rights

Educational/Information Educational/Information VideosVideosMore and more common in legal aid

◦Legal Services Alabama◦Arkansas Legal Services◦Asian Pacific American Legal Center◦Atlanta Legal Aid◦LawHelp California◦Iowa Legal Aid ◦Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New

York◦New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty

Where do we go from Where do we go from here? here? What will happen with access to

broadband? How will online behaviors trend?How can mobile technologies be

incorporated into delivery of services?

Questions or Comments?Questions or Comments?

Documents

ED112: Internet Trends and the Impact to Poverty Law September 19, 2008