A111. Pearce, K. E., & Rice, R. E.
(2013). Digital divides from access to activities: Comparing mobile and
PC Internet
users. Journal of
Communication, 63(4), 741-755.
Digital
inequality can take many forms. Four studied
here are access to Internet, use of different devices, extent of usage,
and
engagement in different Internet activities. However, it is not clear
whether
sociodemographic factors, or devices, are more influential in usage and
activities.
Results from an unfamiliar context show that there are significant
sociodemographic influences on access, device, usage and activities,
and
differences in activities by device type and usage. While
sociodemographic
differences are more influential, device type can increase likelihood
of use
for some “capital enhancing” activities, but only for a computer. Thus,
although mobile Internet is available for those on the wrong side of
the
digital divide, these users do not engage in many activities,
decreasing
potential benefits.
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