scholarly journals Disability digital divide: the use of the internet, smartphones, computers and tablets among people with disabilities in Sweden

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Johansson ◽  
Jan Gulliksen ◽  
Catharina Gustavsson
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
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 The Association of Internet Use with Wellbeing, Mental Health and Health Behaviours of Persons with Disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariusz Duplaga ◽  
Katarzyna Szulc
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Psychological Help ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Degree Of Disability ◽  
Use Of The Internet

Introduction: There is strong evidence that people with disabilities suffer from a significant digital divide. However, there are reports indicating that Internet use may result in many benefits for those with disabilities. The aim of the study was to assess the impact that the use of the Internet has on the wellbeing and health behaviours of persons with disabilities. Methods: An analysis was carried out using the dataset obtained from Social Diagnosis, a panel study undertaken on a nationally representative sample. The records of persons with disabilities were retrieved from the dataset which was established in 2015. An analysis of the association between Internet use and the wellbeing, mental health and health behaviours of the respondents was undertaken. The variables reflecting the self-assessment of their own life and experience of loneliness were treated as being indicators of their wellbeing and the prevalence of suicidal thoughts or making use of psychological help as indicators of mental health. The health behaviours analysed in the study included smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol and undertaking physical activity. For all these variables, multivariate logistic regression models were developed. The effect of Internet use was adjusted for sociodemographic variables and the degree of disability. An analysis was performed after applying post-stratification weights available from the Social Diagnosis study. Results: The weighted study group consisted of 2529 people having a mean age of 59.33 ± 16.89 years. The group included 20.71% (N = 524) respondents with a mild, 41.58% (N = 1052) with a moderate, and 26.54% (N = 671) with a severe disability. The proportion of Internet users was 37.07% (N = 937). In all the regression models, Internet use had a significant impact on the dependent variables. After adjustment for sociodemographic variables and the degree of disability, the Internet users more frequently assessed their lives as happy (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.86, 1.47–2.37) and less frequently experienced loneliness (0.63, 0.49–0.81) or suicidal thoughts (0.47, 0.35–0.65). In addition, they needed psychological help less frequently (0.50, 0.35–0.72). Interestingly, Internet users undertook some form of physical activity or sport more often (2.41, 1.87–3.13) and fewer smoked cigarettes (0.70, 0.54–0.91) or consumed alcohol excessively (0.32, 0.19–0.56). Conclusions: The use of the Internet by people with disabilities was associated with improved wellbeing, better mental health and more beneficial health behaviours. These findings support the development of intensive actions to reduce the digital divide for the population of people with disabilities.

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.

Elderly People with Disabilities in the Internet Age

2011 ◽  
pp. 137-153
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Kyriazopoulos ◽  
Irene Samanta ◽  
Rania Christou ◽  
Anastasios Ntanos
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Internet Age ◽  
Use Of The Internet

The purpose of this research is to explore behaviour regarding the use of the internet by elderly people with movement disabilities. The study illustrates the ways, and the frequency, that they make use of the internet; while identifying the attitudes of non-users towards the internet. Quantitative research was carried out from a sample of 180 questionnaires divided into dyads (ninety users of the internet and ninety non-users) in order to explore and evaluate the attitudes and views of the elderly. The findings identify the factors that motivate older individuals with disabilities to move towards making use of the internet, and allow an understanding of the reasons why some of them are still distrustful towards the internet.

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.

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