Every few days I'll cruise BoingBoing. Today they had an article called "Homeless People and the Internet." It is a subject I am finding quite interesting.

When I worked at a homeless shelter I was surprised to see how many of the guests* had smart phones. The phone's were more advanced then most of the staff's mobiles. We offered limited Internet and computer access as well and it was interesting to see how many, regardless of age, of our guests had Facebook accounts. It was more vital to them then it would have been to me or most of the people I know. They had access to stay in touch with friends and family that lived out of town.

When the computer was removed it was easier for them to get access to the internet to stay in touch than use a phone to call long distance. It seems access to public libraries with computers as well as community networks are easier to come by. After a few months we were having new guests show up with laptops. I knew one gentlemen that would sit by my desk for nearly all of my eight hour shift writing on his laptop and listening to music.

But BoingBoing brings up something even more interesting, when will the Internet be considered a human right? They don't ask the question of 'if' but rather 'when.' Is it inevitable? Is technology now a human right? I am unable to say the Internet should be a right all it's own because with it comes the needed materials** to make it happen.

This idea gives me quite a few questions, if technology is becomes a human right would it be forced on others? What domino effect would that create?

*Guests being anyone that stayed in the homeless shelter.
**Computers, modems, the lines and networks to run it on. The companies to offer it.