Digital Divide: Students’ Use of the Internet and Emerging Forms of Social Inequalities

2011 ◽  
pp. 55-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Sianou-Kyrgiou ◽  
Iakovos Tsiplakides
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Use Of The Internet

Individuals with Disabilities and Internet Use

2012 ◽  
pp. 242-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Gozza-Cohen ◽  
Deborah May
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Diverse Populations ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Large Research

This entry examines the use of the internet by individuals with disabilities. Before people with disabilities can use the Internet for socializing, communicating, gathering information, learning, or working, they must first be able to access the Internet. This may require additional assistance by either people or modified hardware and software. Some authors have expressed concern that there is a digital divide, with many people with disabilities not accessing the Internet. The differing needs of people with disabilities, and how their needs may be met with technology and adaptations are explored. Examples of various uses of the Internet by people with disabilities are presented. This field does not have a large research base; it is difficult to do controlled large group studies with such diverse populations, so much of the information comes from position papers, demographic reports, case studies, or exploratory research.

scholarly journals Does Ageism Widen the Digital Divide? And Does It Vary by Gender?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 315-315
Author(s):  
Eun Young Choi ◽  
Youngsun Kim ◽  
Edson Chipalo ◽  
Hee Yun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Existing literature informed that ageism might affect Internet use among older adults, further widening the digital divide among age groups. However, little empirical studies have been conducted on this topic. Our study aims to investigate (1) the current use of the Internet by gender, (2) the association between ageism and Internet use, and (3) potential gender differences. A cross-sectional data drawn from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) was analyzed. Separate multiple regression analyses were conducted by gender to determine the varying impact of ageism on Internet use. We used two types of ageism (1) internal ageism (ingroup discrimination) and (2) external ageism (discrimination from external entities) to observe each type’s contribution to Internet use. About half of the sample (52% male and 54% female) reported using the Internet “daily,” while a quarter (26% male and 25% female) responded, “never/not relevant.” No significant differences between gender were found in levels of Internet use, the rates of external ageism, or the degree of internal ageism. A higher level of ageism was associated with a lower level of Internet use. Interaction effects between age groups and ageism varied across gender: external ageism had interaction effects on men’s Internet use whereas internal ageism showed significant results for women. Our findings suggest that ageism may influence Internet use and its impact differs by gender. Gender-tailored intervention strategies should be developed to help older individuals to diminish the adverse effects of ageism on Internet use.

Ethical Dilemma of the Digital Divide in the Threshold of Social Inequalities in Africa

2018 ◽  
pp. 73-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Essien Essien
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
New Information ◽  
The Social ◽  
Ict Tools ◽  
The Web

Despite the ubiquitous nature of the internet in our daily lives today, the digital divide discourse in Africa highlights the inequitable social distribution of ICT access. The failure to have equitable social access to ICT tools, or a lack of skills to operate them, clearly depicts a technological predicament and a metaphor that questions the social gaps between humans that can access and use the web, and those that cannot. Relying on content analysis of extensive literature on the digital divide, this paper explores the notion of digital divide social inequalities in Africa, especially as it concerns how it should be understood, valued and managed. Findings, reveals that though the new information technologies are rapidly changing lives of a small but growing number of people across Africa, decisions on content, knowledge and participation excludes Africans. The digital divide therefore, has the potential to create, perpetuate and exacerbate morally objectionable conditions that can replicate poverty, construct exclusion and foregrounds social inequality in many African societies.

scholarly journals A literature review of parents’ online behavior

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodi Dworkin ◽  
Jessica Connell ◽  
Jennifer Doty
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Online Behavior ◽  
Online Social Support ◽  
Internet Searching ◽  
Use Of The Internet

The purpose of this literature review was to compile and analyze the research that has been conducted on parents’ use of the Internet and determine what we know about how parents use the Internet in everyday life. A comprehensive literature review focusing on studies that have asked parents about their Internet use was conducted to include research published through December 2011. This yielded 27 studies. Articles were summarized and then organized by content. Three main themes emerged: what parents are doing online, social support online, and the digital divide. This literature review revealed that parents go online to search for parenting information and social support and generally report satisfaction with the resources they find on the Internet. Parents still express hesitation in trusting various online resources, though, and desire greater education in Internet searching and deciphering the credibility of online information. In addition, this review also exposes gaps in current research, provides direction for future research, and has implications for how to effectively reach parents using the Internet.

scholarly journals Digital Divide or Digital Welfare?

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 20-36
Author(s):  
Xu Shao ◽  
Yanlin Yang ◽  
Lingzhi Wang
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Uneven Development ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Positive Coefficient ◽  
Sustainable Employability ◽  
Skill Requirements ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Digital Gap

With the widespread use of the internet, exploring how it will influence the labor market is of great significance. Based on the 2010-2018 China Family Panel Studies dataset, this paper investigates the effect of the internet on sustainable employability among Chinese aged 16-60. The empirical results of the panel double-hurdle model show that the internet can significantly enhance an individual's competitiveness in the labor market. Moreover, the heterogeneity tests show that the middle aged and older adults, freelancers, and those living in disadvantaged regions can benefit more on employability brought about by the internet. The authors define this phenomenon as the information welfare of the internet, which has narrowed the digital gap caused by the uneven development of technology among different social groups. In addition, the positive coefficient associated with internet use is driven by higher skill requirements in specific workplaces. The authors further explored the role workplace computerization has had in this process.

scholarly journals Internet Use by Secondary School Students: A Digital Divide in Sustainable Societies?

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Ballesta Pagán ◽  
Josefina Lozano Martínez ◽  
Mari Cerezo Máiquez
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Educational Needs ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Special Educational Needs ◽  
School Students ◽  
Foreign Origin ◽  
Data Content ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Social Divide

Although the use of the Internet is generalised, its potential as a teaching tool is rarely taken into account. At the same time, there exists a digital divide affecting vulnerable or disadvantaged groups: students of foreign origin and students with special educational needs. It is necessary to identify how inequality can be overcome to reach the objectives set by the United Nations regarding sustainable forms of development for education and to foster more inclusive and egalitarian societies. In this research with students aged 12–16, the objective was to establish profiles according to gender, social class, ethnic background and educational special needs. We used a mixed methodological design, applying a questionnaire to 2734 students from 15 centres and qualitative data collection techniques. We made a descriptive and inferential analysis (SPSS program) and a qualitative data content analysis supported by the “Maxqda” program. The results show that, although most students have Internet access, students of foreign origin and students with special educational needs use this resource less frequently. There are significant differences for gender. Likewise, social divide has an impact on the learning potential of the Internet. Some proposals for improvement are provided, from the framework of the school, with a view to improving socio-educational equity and inclusion in societies in search of a more sustainable form of development.

Bridging of Digital Divide in Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.E. Igun
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Government Policies ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Communication Services ◽  
Global System ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
The Revolution

This paper discusses the gap created by an international digital divide in Africa. The paper focuses on bridging the digital divide that exists between the developed countries and Africa, especially in the use of the internet and Global System Mobile (GSM) communication services. Issues like bridging the international digital divide, digital divide and Africa, bridging the digital divide in African’s universities and libraries, the revolution of GSM in Africa, and effects of government policies and regulations, challenges facing Internet Providers (ISPs), benefits of GSM services in Africa are also discussed. In this paper, the author reveals the commendable penetration of GSM but poor connectivity of the internet in Africa. Problems hindering penetration of the internet and GSM in Africa are mentioned. Recommendations that lead to bridging of this internet gap are highlighted.

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