Online media delivery highlights the gap between rich and poor. Not everyone can afford a personal computer and high-speed Internet connection. These people have become what is known as information illiterate. They are at a disadvantage in many walks of life, such as getting the most out of social services or finding steady employment. Without access to the most current news and information, it's difficult to be an informed and effective citizen.
Online media delivery presents readers and viewers with more choices than they have ever had. It's possible to become overwhelmed by the quantity of media available on the Internet. A single site may have poor quality design that leads to frustration for the viewer. Too many links, too much advertisement or bad design choices all hamper the smooth delivery of information. The Internet is a young technology, and web designers are still experimenting with the most ergonomic way to present information.
Similar to information overload, information shallowness is a result of media that tries to be all things for all people. News stories on the Internet are often shorter and simpler than those found in traditional media outlets. An excessive amount of content means that in general the content will be less rich. Writers are tasked with grabbing the reader's attention quickly rather than engaging the intellect. The Internet has created a shorter attention span in those who have grown up alongside it. For the older generation, the experience of reading a screen will never be as satisfying as picking up a newspaper.
Surprisingly, people often take for granted how the Internet is completely dependent on technology. Electricity is necessary to run home computers and charge laptops, and cable or phone lines must be well-maintained to transmit the packets of information that make up the Internet. This system collapses if not carefully monitored all the time. Handheld devices such as smartphones have recently become popular as media delivery devices. Like all cell phones, they are just as susceptible to poor signal reception. Traditional media delivery is more established and therefore more reliable.