As said before, internet access should be a right. Unlike other luxury goods, internet access is now becoming a modern day commodity –even more significant than owning a landline or having cable TV. With the strong impact of the internet on society and our constant need to be online, it is no surprise that there is a need to educate children on the ways of the internet.
The difference between a child with net access and a child without one is pretty significant. Many school curriculums today take for granted the fact that children have access to the internet. Research papers, studies and even basic homework are expected to be accomplished with the aid of being able to find reference materials and data instantly online.
Beyond practical usage, getting net access also allows children to stay in touch with their peers. With many post school, interaction happening on internet forums, social networking tools such as Facebook or on the micro blogging site Twitter, children who have no access to the internet are easily alienated from their peers.
The Birmingham City Council has teamed up with mobile network operator Vodafone in order to help bring 450 disadvantaged children the freedom and opportunity to be online. The children will be loaned laptop computers with internet access through mobile broadband connection. In order to keep track of the devices being loaned, Vodafone has been allowed to install Secure Remote Access services on the devices.
More than being able to help the kids out, this is also a pilot project –which means that if it succeeds, it will also be applied across the UK. While plenty does ride on the shoulders of the program, there is plenty of hope that we will see more of this soon.
Get to know more about the Vodafone and City Council project at Mobile Today UK.
