Investigating gaps and opportunities: young people's access to IT in Australia

Bridging the digital divide is a key social challenge for the 21st century, state the authors. Young people who do not have access to the Internet and communication technologies will be left further behind, with fewer educational and employment opportunities. This will ultimately affect their social, mental and physical health. They report on an audit which took place in early 2000 to assess the current situation regarding young people's use of, and access to, information technology in Australia. The project also investigated government policies and initiatives affecting the provision of Internet/ ICT for young people in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote parts of Australia. The report describes the background to the research, methodology, key findings, conclusions and recommendations.