As the Information Age is upon us, access to computers and the Internet have become increasingly vital in our every day lives. However, according to AP, minorities are still falling through the Internet crack.

Recent information released from the National Center for Education Statistics, an arm of the Education Department, has found that more white children are using the Internet than Hispanic and African American students. The report concluded that two of every three white students (67%) use the Internet at school compared with 44% of Hispanic and 47% of African American students.

Mark Lloyd, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, stated that the noticeable absence of Internet use in school for minorities would only establish “barriers” later on in life.

Not using the Internet “narrows their ability to even think about the kind of work they can be doing,” Lloyd said. “It doesn’t prepare them for a world in which they’re going to be expected to know how to do these things.”

Lloyd is correct in his assessment because studies have shown that access and ability to Internet use have helped improving people’s learning, job prospects and everyday living.

Even more troubling, the digital divide has widened as the information “haves” outpace the “have nots” in gaining access to the Internet at home.

Some 54 percent of white students use the Internet at home, compared with 26 percent of Hispanic and 27 percent of black youngsters. Limited access at home can erode a student’s ability to research assignments, explore college scholarships or just get comfortable going online.

Lloyd explains that lack of computer usage at home is tied to broader problems, including poverty in African American and Hispanic communities.

Among other students, 58% of Asian-American and 47% of American Indian students utilize the Internet.

Via / CNN