LxC Task 5: The role of the cyber in Latin America.

The role of cyber technology within the Latin American region is becoming more important as time goes on. Despite having been known for it's lack of modernization, and information poverty, Latin American countries are becoming a force to be reckoned with on the cyber. Latin America, as a whole, has become home to 8% of the world's internet audience, and showed a 23% increase in 2009, becoming the fastest growing internet-using region.(Fosk 8) [1] Even so, it is still mainly the economically prosperous regions of countries that get to play an active role in the global cyber community, like in Mexico, where most of the interest users come from the thriving cities, Guadalajara and Monterrey. [2] Prosperity in the end is not only what seems to allow the internet to reach a region, but also comes with its presence. Pipa Norris states:

"...the Internet could broaden and enhance access to information and communication in developing nations because it offers a relatively cheap and efficient service. Small businesses in South Africa and Mexico can sell their products directly to customers in New York, irrespective of the traditional barriers of distance, the costs of advertising, and the intermediate distribution chains."[3]

What Norris stated in Information Poverty and the Wired World, is currently taking place with the creation of Latin American corporations, and their expansion overseas, in particular to the US, (i.e Fn Box, Banorte Banks, Embraer S.A, Cemex, etc.) [4] The success, and possibilities for economic boom caused by the internet, is only one of the ways the cyber is impacting Latin America, the others are much more simple yet are the main reasons why people in Latin America go online. According to Comscore's 2010 research, most Latin Americans who can use the cyber, go on it mainly for searching, social networking, and emailing. (Fosk 14) [5] In the end, whether it's just to browse the web, or to create enterprises, and allow them to flourish across Latin American borders, the digital divide is slowly but surely becoming a thing of the past, and the ability to access and participate in the global cyber community in Latin America is beginning to be the usual for millions of people Latin America.

Fosk, Alejandro. "Situación De Internet En Latinoamérica (State of Internet – SOI LatAm)." Chart.Comscore. Comscore Inc., June 2010. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. [1] [2] [5]

Norris, Pippa. “Information Poverty and the Wired World”. The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics. 5 (2000): 1-6. Print. [3]

Krauss, Clifford. "Latin American Companies Make Big U.S. Gains." The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 02 May 2007. Web. 08 May 2011. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/business/worldbusiness/02latin.html. [4]