One of the issues of interest to those who study intercultural communication is the “digital divide” that exists between those who have access to technologies like the Internet and those who do not. Studies show that in the United States the people most likely to have access to and use the Internet are young or middle age, have a college degree or are students, and have a comfortable income. Race and ethnicity doesn’t seem to play a role, if we compare similar levels of education and income. While the digital divide is shrinking, certain groups still lag behind those with low incomes and less education. Even more important than income, education, or access to a home computer, “Internet connectedness” also depends on one’s social environment. People are more likely to use the Internet if they have family and friends who also use the Internet, can help them resolve Internet-related problems, and who see the Internet as playing an important role in their lives.