Study Says That (Statistically Speaking) People Online Are Mostly Dudes

We tend to assume that everyone is on the Internet. Can you think of a single person you know who doesn’t have a laptop, smartphone, or tablet (or in some cases, all three)? So it’s easy to forget that if you’re checking Facebook on your lunch break, you’re a member of an extremely privileged minority. The fact of the matter is, a lot of the world still isn’t online — and those lucky enough to be online are predominantly male.

According to a study by the United Nations, hundreds of millions of men have better access to the Internet than women. Specifically, of the 2.8 billion people with access to the web 1.5 billion are men. That means, if you're having trouble with the math, only 1.3 billion women are able to get online. And while that might not seem like a huge difference, it comes out to a deficit of approximately 200 million people — all women.

The severity of this problem varies by location. The difference is less significant in more developed countries, although women are still less likely to be seen surfing the web there. The problem in less technologically advanced countries, however, can be much more extreme. Only 29% of women in the developing world have a chance of getting online.

“This important new report reveals a worrying ‘gender gap’ in access,” UN member Hamadoun Touré said in a statement. “We need to make sure that all people — and most crucially today’s younger generation — have equitable access to [information and communication technologies].”

So why this gap between the genders when it comes to the digital world? Financial factors have a huge influence, particularly in developing regions. Access in those places is already limited to the wealthy; for women, the challenges are doubly difficult.

Oh, and the online gender gap is only expected to get worse. Without intervention, the difference between the number of men and women online could rise from its current level to over 350 million in just the next three years. The report's authors emphasizes a need for Internet programs in developing countries and recommends more action in promoting tech careers and skills to young girls in countries with big disparities in the number of men and women using the web. And before you go accusing the authors of pushing a PC feminist agenda, their interest isn’t solely humanitarian — closing the online gender gap could boost worldwide economies by roughly $18 billion.

“More women online will result in greater economic growth…” reads the report. “Bringing girls and women online could double the digital opportunities opening up in the new online global economy.”

The UN plans to work on emphasizing digital programs that will promote awareness, accessibility, and an online education for women. But most admit that it's not going to be an easy process, particularly in those countries with strict rules regarding women and their rights, online or otherwise. Not only will the technology have to change in these places, the attitudes will as well. It’s an uphill battle for the UN and online awareness programs.

So the next time you’re complaining about a video buffering or a dropped Internet connection, take a moment to appreciate what you have. After all, you have a virtually limitless wealth of knowledge and information at your digital fingertips — and you’re probably using it to watch funny videos of cats.

[Pic via Flickr - Katie Brady]