Online Participation and Digital Divide

Author(s):  
Stephen K. Aikins ◽  
Meena Chary

This chapter examines whether government officials’ deployment of resources to broaden Internet access and participation is influenced by officials’ communication preferences and socioeconomic factors. The concern that the Internet explosion has alienated and marginalized some citizens from the democratic process and civic life has generated intellectual debate and led governments and other sectors to take measures to bridge the gap created by the digital divide. Although several studies have been conducted on the subject, few are yet to be done on the influence of government officials’ communication preferences and socioeconomic factors on resource deployment to broaden access and participation. Drawing on the theories of technological diffusion and determinism, as well as developmental and democratic theories, we argue that officials’ communication preferences and socioeconomic factors will be important in broadening Internet access and participation. Survey data, local government Web site contents and census data were analyzed. Results reveal that officials are not eager to commit resources to activities that broaden access and participation because they generally prefer to communicate with citizens via traditional channels. In addition, the sizes of the elderly and Black population, as well as the relative affluence of cities, do influence the presence of deliberative features on city Web sites.

2013 ◽  
pp. 63-85
Author(s):  
Stephen K. Aikins ◽  
Meena Chary

This chapter examines whether government officials’ deployment of resources to broaden Internet access and participation is influenced by officials’ communication preferences and socioeconomic factors. The concern that the Internet explosion has alienated and marginalized some citizens from the democratic process and civic life has generated intellectual debate and led governments and other sectors to take measures to bridge the gap created by the digital divide. Although several studies have been conducted on the subject, few are yet to be done on the influence of government officials’ communication preferences and socioeconomic factors on resource deployment to broaden access and participation. Drawing on the theories of technological diffusion and determinism, as well as developmental and democratic theories, we argue that officials’ communication preferences and socioeconomic factors will be important in broadening Internet access and participation. Survey data, local government Web site contents and census data were analyzed. Results reveal that officials are not eager to commit resources to activities that broaden access and participation because they generally prefer to communicate with citizens via traditional channels. In addition, the sizes of the elderly and Black population, as well as the relative affluence of cities, do influence the presence of deliberative features on city Web sites.


10.28945/2926 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Morgan ◽  
Craig A. VanLengen

The divide between those who have computer and Internet access and those who do not appears to be narrowing, however overall statistics may be misleading. Measures of computer availability in schools often include cases where computers are only available for administration or are available only on a very limited basis (Gootman, 2004). Access to a computer and the Internet outside of school helps to reinforce student learning and emphasize the importance of using technology. Recent U.S. statistics indicate that ethnic background and other demographic characteristics still have substantial impact on the availability and use of computers by students outside of the classroom. This paper examines recent census data to determine the impact of the household on student computer use outside of the classroom. Encouragingly, the findings of this study suggest that use of a computer at school substantially increases the chance that a student will use a computer outside of class. Additionally, this study suggests that computer use outside of the classroom is positively and significantly impacted by being in a household with adults who either use a computer at work or work in an industry where computers are extensively used.


Author(s):  
Zhenyu Huang

This chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of the 3,099 U.S. counties’ adoption and diffusion of e-government and the functions provided by their Web sites. By using content analysis methodology, the services and functions of U.S. county e-government Web sites are investigated and analyzed. The research finds that U.S. counties’ e-government adoption is highly associated with socioeconomic factors; in addition, the functionalities of local e-government Web sites are significantly related to multiple socioeconomic factors according to the regression analysis. The chapter provides government officials and practitioners a comprehensive picture of U.S. local e-government practice. It sheds light on e-government research by bringing in a valuable research instrument and comprehensive analysis of e-government adoption and diffusion.


JMIR Aging ◽  
10.2196/13939 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. e13939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesc López Seguí ◽  
Marc de San Pedro ◽  
Eva Aumatell Verges ◽  
Salvador Simó Algado ◽  
Francesc Garcia Cuyàs

Background “Digital Partners” is an intergenerational information and communications technology learning project carried out in the municipalities of Vic and Centelles (Catalonia) from April to May 2018. Within the framework of the introduction of community service as a subject in secondary education, the Centre for Health and Social Studies (University of Vic) created a training space with 38 intergenerational partners (aged 14-15 years and >65 years), with the aim of improving the senior users’ digital skills in terms of use of smartphones and tablets, thus helping reduce the digital divide in the territory. Objective The aim of this paper is to evaluate the satisfaction of both junior and senior participants toward the intervention and to explore its main drivers. Methods Participants who volunteered to participate in the study were interviewed. Quantitative and qualitative data gathered in paper-based ad hoc surveys were used to assess participants’ satisfaction. Results The experience shows a broad satisfaction of both junior and senior users. The project’s strengths include the format of working in couples; randomly pairing individuals by operating system; the ability to practice with the device itself; individuals’ free choice to decide what they wish to learn, develop, or practice; and the availability of voluntary practice material that facilitates communication and learning. With regard to aspects that could be improved, there is a need to review the timetabling flexibility of meetings to avoid hurrying the elderly and to extend the project’s duration, if necessary. Conclusions This activity can serve to create mutual learning through the use of mobile devices and generate security and motivation on the part of the seniors, thus reducing the digital divide and improving social inclusion.


2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 5601-5613
Author(s):  
Young-Wan Ju ◽  
Yoo-Jung Kim ◽  
Chang-Hyung Cho

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 281
Author(s):  
Drielly Silva Andrade ◽  
Jessyka Santos Ferreira ◽  
Uilma Santos de Souza ◽  
Michelle De Santana Xavier Ramos

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the experience of living with the elderly with a look at racial issues and healthy aging. Method: this is a qualitative, descriptive study, a type of experience report, performed in a USF, from November 2017 to March 2018. A field diary was constructed through the meetings. Results: in the contact with the elderly, the fragilities and the difficulties of each one in carrying out the daily activities and the self-care are perceived. It is inferred that most of the participants underwent medical treatment of chronic diseases. The participation of the elderly in the discussions about racial issues and the needs aroused by them to continue aging with health becomes relevant. Conclusion: the intervention project made it possible for all those involved in the activities to understand the aging process and the demands demanded in this phase, both in the physical aspect and in the psychic and social aspects of the elderly, awakening in each member of the multiprofessional team, the interest in contributing and being able to welcome this clientele. Descritores: Health of the Elderly; Health of the Black Population; Case Reports; Nursing; Health Education; Primary Health Care. RESUMOObjetivo: descrever a experiência da convivência com idosos com um olhar sobre as questões raciais e o envelhecimento saudável. Método: trata-se de estudo qualitativo, descritivo, tipo relato de experiência, realizado em uma USF, no período de novembro de 2017 a março de 2018. Construiu-se, por meio dos encontros, um diário de campo. Resultados: percebem-se, no contato com os idosos, as fragilidades e as dificuldades de cada um em realizar as atividades diárias e o autocuidado. Infere-se que a maior parte dos participantes realizava tratamento medicamentoso de doenças crônicas. Torna-se relevante a participação dos idosos nas discussões sobre as questões raciais e as necessidades despertadas por eles para continuar envelhecendo com saúde. Conclusão: possibilitou-se, pelo projeto de intervenção, a todos os envolvidos nas atividades, compreender o processo de envelhecimento e as demandas exigidas nessa fase, tanto no aspecto físico, quanto nos aspectos psíquico e social do idoso, despertando, em cada membro da equipe multiprofissional, o interesse em contribuir e se capacitar para acolher essa clientela. Descritores:  Saúde do Idoso; Saúde da População Negra; Relato de Caso; Enfermagem; Educação em Saúde; Atenção Primária à Saúde.RESUMEN Objetivo: describir la experiencia de la convivencia con los ancianos con una mirada sobre las cuestiones raciales y el envejecimiento saludable. Método: se trata de un estudio cualitativo, descriptivo, tipo relato de experiencia, realizado en una USF, en el período de noviembre de 2017 a marzo de 2018. Se construyó, por medio de los encuentros, un diario de campo. Resultados: se percibe, en el contacto con los ancianos, las fragilidades y las dificultades de cada uno en realizar las actividades diarias y el autocuidado. Se infiere que la mayoría de los participantes realizaba tratamiento medicamentoso de enfermedades crónicas. Se hace relevante la participación de los ancianos en las discusiones sobre las cuestiones raciales y las necesidades despertadas por ellos para continuar envejeciendo con salud. Conclusión: se posibilitó, por el proyecto de intervención, a todos los involucrados en las actividades, comprender el proceso de envejecimiento y las demandas exigidas en esa fase, tanto en el aspecto físico, como en los aspectos psíquico y social del anciano, despertando, en cada miembro del equipo multiprofesional, el interés en contribuir y capacitarse para acoger a esa clientela. Descritores: Salud del Anciano; Salud de la Población Negra; Informes de Casos; Enfermería; Educación en Salud; Atención Primaria de Salud.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (40) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Fernanda Neves Silveira de Souza ◽  
Luiza Fernandes Fonseca Sandes ◽  
Amanda Miranda Brito Araújo ◽  
Daniel Antunes Freitas

Objective: To investigate the perception and oral health practices among older quilombola women (black population group, descendants of slaves in Brazil). Methods: Qualitative research with elderly women living in a rural community formed by descendants of slaves in Brazil. The study was performed through a semi-structured interview with nine of the rural community residents and following content analysis of the narratives. Results: All elderly women are edentulous (partially or totally) and dental problems that led them to use natural means of pain relief were identified. With the analysis of the transcripts, three main categories emerged: the elderly of Quilombola Rural Community Julia Mulata and edentulism; self-perceived oral health of older women of the Quilombola Rural Community Julia Mulata; Popular practices used in the presence of health problems. Conclusion: Quilombola elderly consider the loss of teeth as natural aging; they present life stories linked to dental problems; seek to solve their dental problems with the use of traditional folk therapies.


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