Study notes rise in Latino Internet usage

[ilbegone]

Study notes rise in Latino Internet usage

Stephen Wall, Staff Writer

01/03/2010

Three years ago, Juan Carlos Pano didn't need a computer.

The 24-year-old Mexican immigrant had a steady construction job that kept him busy and paid the bills.

But over the years Pano has come to realize the importance of being computer savvy.

The Colton resident now uses the Internet to do homework and research for his English class at San Bernardino Adult School.

"It's very indispensable," said Pano, who came to the United States seven years ago.

Pano's experience is reflected in a larger trend that shows Internet use rising among Latinos.

From 2006 to 2008, Web use among Latino adults nationwide rose by 10 percentage points, from 54 to 64 percent, according to a new report by the Pew Hispanic Center, a nonprofit research organization in Washington, D.C.

In comparison, the rates for whites increased by 4 percent, while the rates for blacks went up 2 percent during that period, the report states.

Though Latinos continue to lag behind whites, the gap in Internet use has shrunk considerably, the report says.

Elsa Valdez, a sociology professor at Cal State San Bernardino, said there is a huge gap in income and education levels between whites and Latinos that accounts for the differences in Internet use among the two groups.

"For most families that are low income, having a computer and using the Internet is not going to be a priority," Valdez said. "The priority is going to be keeping a roof over your head and buying whatever basic necessities your family needs."

The Pew survey examines Internet use among both English and Spanish-speaking Latinos and provides a useful snapshot of how Latinos are faring in comparison to other groups, said Gretchen Livingston, senior researcher at the center.

"It appears that, while Internet use is reaching a saturation point for some groups, it continues to grow markedly for Latinos," Livingston said.

The report did not address why Latinos have experienced strong gains in Internet use. But Livingston surmises that the rapid growth in affordable mobile technologies like iPhones has contributed to the increase.

Particularly in recent years, Internet access has had an impact on nearly every aspect of life.

But many lower-income and less-educated Latinos are only starting to embrace the technology, said Francisco Lara, a computer teacher at Libreria del Pueblo, a nonprofit organization in San Bernardino that provides immigration and other services to Latinos.

Latinos who worked in construction, carpentry and other jobs requiring physical labor didn't think they needed to use a computer, Lara said.

But low-skilled workers who have been laid off or had their hours cut back due to the recession must find new jobs.

"Unfortunately, they can't knock on doors anymore to get an application," Lara said. "Now, they have to get an application on a Web site."

It's not as easy as it sounds for some.

Lara said only about half his 30 students have a computer at home. Most bought it for their children and don't know how to use it, he said.

He said some never finished high school in their home countries and struggle with grammar and spelling in Spanish - their first language.

In their adopted homelands, immigrants must learn computer and Internet skills for myriad reasons, Lara said.

"They are not learning, just typing," he said. "They're learning a new way to live."

They need to be able to create a resume, pay bills and keep track of appointments. They must be able to check their children's grades and school assignments and help them with their homework.

Families are increasingly using the Internet to keep in touch across borders.

"I communicate with my 10-year-old brother who still lives in Mexico," Pano said. "We talk about soccer and how he is doing in school."

Ramon Vera, a 52-year-old Mexican immigrant, finished only one semester of high school in his native country.

When he arrived here in 1979, he worked at a meat market and as a cook in a Mexican restaurant for a total of five years. He later owned a small grocery store for 16 years. He closed the business after he and his wife divorced.

Vera started taking classes at San Bernardino Valley College and came to realize the importance of the computer.

He learned to how to make power point presentations and create graphic designs that helped him get his Associate of Arts degree.

"Being able to use the computer was instrumental in allowing me to make much better presentations and get better grades," Vera said.