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This paper explores the development of Internet use in Latin America. The analysis explores the macro- and microsocial expectations and actualities of Internet use in Latin America. While much is assumed about Internet penetration in the region, this paper lays out actual penetration rates, and attempts to understand what has fostered Internet growth in the region. Various levels of economic, technological, and governmental development encourage the expansion of Internet penetration in the region. By looking at micro-level Internet consumption, this research employs Latin American Public Opinion Project survey data taken from multiple years and offers an initial analysis of the determinants of Internet use. Compared to other forms of news media consumption, Internet users are younger and more skeptical of domestic news media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Society and culture at the planetary level suffered major transformations during the twentieth century, particularly in the second half, largely because of the impressive degree of scientific and technological development. Forms of economic production also experienced profound changes, so much so that the greatest wealth, from an economic standpoint, now is generated by so-called knowledge-based production systems. The concept of a knowledge society has been forged to refer to these phenomena. Nevertheless, it is a fact that science and technology have brought about major changes, thereby making it urgent to develop strategies to strengthen the culture of science and technology throughout Latin America. The aforementioned concepts are discussed in this paper, along with possible strategies for bolstering the culture of science and technology. The authors also contend that a suitable model for a knowledge society in the Latin American countries should consider their broad and rich cultural diversity, which poses additional challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]