Advocates: Seniors, poor need online education, protection

Consumer and privacy advocates pushed for greater online protections and education for seniors as well as low-income and disadvantaged users who increasingly are embracing the Internet.

Among families with an annual income of $20,000 or less, 92% of blacks and 63% of Hispanics look for jobs online, compared with 54% of whites, according to a 2010 study by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. "Broadband has the potential to level the playing field," says Nicol Turner-Lee, vice president and director of the center's media institute. We "don't want new adopters to face potential harms they're not ready for." Among the concerns expressed at a policy forum hosted by the Joint Center: Vulnerability to Web fraud, Privacy protection, Opportunities for discrimination, Transparency.