The evolution of the digital divide: The digital divide turns to inequality of skills and usage

Digital divide:

  • Motivation
  • Physical access
  • Digital skills
  • Different usage

Research's been focused on individual attributes without a lot of explanation

Network analysis as an alternative. Positions and relations between individuals in focus.

Categorical differences between groups of people explained by relations

E.g. from text: girls/boys. Boys first to take interest. Girls leave it to the boys. followed by years of reinforcement.

Brukes som eksempel på at det er noe strukturelt i relasjonene og ikke iboende forskjeller mellom kjønn. Men er det ikke litt tynt og antakende, da hele tesen starter med at guttene er mest interesserte? Og er det dessuten gyldig i Norge 2018?

Categorical pairs with one being dominant, e.g. girl/boy, old/young etc.

Individuals belong to different groups, most likely some dominant, some not

Different pairs weighs differently between societies

Among the most important categories:

  • labor market position
  • education
  • age
  • sex/gender

Durable inequality where pairs are institutionalized in social systems

Resources and appropriation theory

Core concepts:
Causes:

  1. Personal and positional categorical inequalities in society
  2. The distribution of resources relevant to that inequality
    Effects:
  3. A number of kinds of access to ICTs
  4. A number of fields of participation in society

Characteristics of the ICTs: More user friendly = more participants

Consequences of divide may relate to:

  • job possibilities
  • social contacts
  • political participation
  • being part of cyber-culture
  • ability to lead a mobile life
  • realizing citizenship rights

Diffusion stimulates motivation

Computer anxiety and technophobia still major barriers

Digital divide follows S-curve as rich, educated, young people reach saturation, and the others catch up

Economy plays a role in access beyond just having one device

Educational usage gap:
Low education = more entertainment
High education = More serious activities that results in social and economical advantages (jobs, education, news, discussion)

Gender and age gaps even bigger. All forms of use more widespread among young, and boys have a broader use than girls.

Conclusion: Well known social and cultural differences in society are reflected in Internet usage

Prediction: Age gap will become smaller, education gap may even widen