Human-computer interaction closes the digital divide: a multicultural intergenerational ICT case study

Ethnic and racial tensions are aggravated by social inequities. The media unwittingly feeds this dilema. Look at how often we are directed to the internet for further information. While exploring the internet may be easier for some computer users, others demonstrate a complete avoidance for this type of knowledge exchange. Misunderstandings that occur between cultural communities may be exacerbated by the digital divide through lack of access, for whatever reason, causing a meaningful gap in cultural differences, and henceforth leading to serious communication breakdowns. This paper argues for more research on measuring the effectiveness of increased opportunities for Web-mediated cross-cultural/intergenerational knowledge sharing that is designed to overcome the ever widening digital divide.