scholarly journals Digital Divide or Digital Welfare?

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 20-36
Author(s):  
Xu Shao ◽  
Yanlin Yang ◽  
Lingzhi Wang

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.

Author(s):  
Sergio E. Godoy ◽  
Soledad Herrera

This chapter aims to quantify more exactly the adoption of broadband at the household level in Chile by assessing its impact on three types of digital divide: between users and nonusers of the Internet, between usage at home and elsewhere, and between home broadband users and modem home users. This was done by a statistical analysis of WIP-Chile surveys of 2003 and 2006. At least in Chile, the main digital gap is still between users and non users of the Internet, both in terms of age and education level. Income mainly affects the probability of having broadband access at home. Since broadband has rapidly expanded among all socioeconomic segments, it is becoming less relevant as a predictor of access and Web usage. Other factors are also weak predictors of both residential use of the Internet and broadband connections at home. New data and surveys are required to clarify the point.


2012 ◽  
pp. 242-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Gozza-Cohen ◽  
Deborah May

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 315-315
Author(s):  
Eun Young Choi ◽  
Youngsun Kim ◽  
Edson Chipalo ◽  
Hee Yun Lee

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.


Author(s):  
Ali Acilar

This article explores the gender digital divide in e-government use in Turkey. Historical trends and differences in internet and e-government use by males and females are investigated. The findings of this study indicate that although internet use has increased over the years, there remains a steady and significant gap between males and females in terms of internet use and e-government services use. It appears that females in Turkey tend to be on the wrong side of the digital divide, and a significant number of females do not benefit from the potential advantages of the internet and e-government services. The gender digital gap in e-government use is higher than in internet use.


Author(s):  
Jodi Dworkin ◽  
Jessica Connell ◽  
Jennifer Doty

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Ballesta Pagán ◽  
Josefina Lozano Martínez ◽  
Mari Cerezo Máiquez

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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