Even as we talk about Web 2.0 and the next big thing to happen to the Internet, a new study tells us that almost one-fifth of all US household heads have never ever used email.

Parks Associates researchers further reveal that one out of every three households in the US has never used a computer to create a document. Morever, around 20 million households are without Internet access, which is approximately 18 percent of all US households. Although seven percent of the 20 million 'disconnected' homes have said they plan to subscribe to an Internet service within the next twelve months.

"These data underscore the significant digital divide between the connected majority and the homes in the disconnected minority that rarely, if ever they do, use a computer," said John Barrett, director (Research) of Park Associates. The study reveals that age and education are the two main factors constituting the divide. One-half of those who've never used emails are over 65 years old and 56 percent have done no schooling beyond high school.

Meanwhile, the study does show a steady decline in the number of disconnected households when comparing the findings with previous years. For instance, at the end of 2006, 31 million US households (approximately 29 percent) had no Internet access. Though Internet connections have slowly increased in the US, getting the disconnected minority online would continue to be difficult, Barrett said. He explained that while age and economics are driving factors, the heart of the challenge goes deeper. Many people just don't see a reason to use computers and do not associate technology with the needs and demands of their daily lives.