Crossing the Digital Divide: Is Access to the Internet an Economic Right?

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Joseph Barry
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
The Internet

The Digital Divide and K-12 Student Computer Use

10.28945/2926 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Morgan ◽  
Craig A. VanLengen
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
Demographic Characteristics ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Limited Basis ◽  
K 12 ◽  
The Impact

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.

The digital divide in individual e-commerce utilization in China

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shizhan Zhu ◽  
Juan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Digital Inequality ◽  
Urban Inequality ◽  
First Order ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
Residency Status ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Using Data ◽  
And Migration

Using data from a national survey with 1,288 respondents, this study investigates the socio-demographic determinants of the first-order digital divide (access to the Internet) and the second-order digital divide (e-commerce use) in China. The survey employed spatial probability sampling technology so it would encompass migrants as well as registered residents. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to model the associations between access to the Internet/e-commerce use and demographic characteristics, socio-economic attributes, and migration and residency status. The results demonstrate the significant effects of rural-urban inequality and socio-economic divisions in Internet access. Age, gender, education, and residency were identified as significant predictors for individual e-commerce use. The findings provide helpful information for enterprises wishing to broaden their business horizons. The research can also be used in designing effective policies to reduce China’s digital inequality.

scholarly journals Distance education in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom: A comparative study: التعليم عن بعد في المملكة العربية السعودية والمملكة المتحدة: دراسة مقارنة

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (29) ◽  
pp. 128-143
Author(s):  
Mohammed Noah Alkhiri, Talal Aqeel Alkhiri Mohammed Noah Alkhiri, Talal Aqeel Alkhiri
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
International Data ◽  
Shed Light

This paper aims to shed light on distance education in the United Kingdom and comparing it to distance education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the extent of its use in improving the processes of distance learning and education, and ways to overcome the problems facing distance education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study relied on reports and analysis of international data conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Among the most important findings of the study: It is possible to benefit from the experience of the United Kingdom in distance learning, and there are significant differences in distance learning between the two countries, and there are few similarities. Among the most important recommendations of the study: To benefit from the experiences of British universities and institutions in distance education, and to simulate the platforms and applications used in distance education in the United Kingdom and how to benefit from them, and to benefit from the experience of the United Kingdom in responding to economic growth and bridging the digital divide by using the Internet in schools to teach academic subjects.

The Essential Internet: Results from a study into household internet use at the Toronto Community Housing Corporation

First Monday ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Mersereau
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Explanatory Model ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Services ◽  
Housing Corporation ◽  
Household Activities ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Activity Areas

This paper presents highlights of research conducted into the Internet supported household activities of residents at the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC). The routines of residents in five distinct basic needs activity areas were examined in an effort to identify the role of the Internet in supporting these undertakings. The results indicate that the Internet can be characterized as an essential technical resource that supports the stability of TCHC households by helping to multiply and interconnect the activities that constitute household routines. By providing an explanatory model of the Internet’s role in supporting the stability of TCHC households, this research advances an argument for public intercession in the provisioning of household Internet services to help redress the digital divide in Canada’s most populous city.

E-Government Issues in Developing Countries

2012 ◽  
pp. 423-439
Author(s):  
Gohar Feroz Khan ◽  
Junghoon Moon
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Government Services

Electronic government, or e-Government, is the practice of providing public services to citizens, businesses, and other government agencies where government services can be accessed through the Internet, mobile phone, fax, mail, telephone, and personal visits (MGAHA, 2005). Developing countries, utilizing the late comer advantage, are mimicking trends of paperless governments with the expectations to reap the same benefits enjoyed by developed countries. However, e-Government initiatives have not always been successful in developing countries. According to the study conducted by Heeks (2003), the rate of e-Government success in developing countries was only 15 percent. The authors believe that such failures are mainly due to certain unique social, economic, technological, and environmental challenges faced by e-Government in developing countries. For example, some major issues include digital divide, political instability, and skills-related issues. However, the research dealing with these problems is limited. Therefore, in this chapter, the authors discuss these challenges.

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.

Beyond the Digital Divide

2013 ◽  
pp. 277-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Undrah Buyan Baasanjav
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Domain Names ◽  
The Public ◽  
Rapid Economic Growth ◽  
Aid Dependency ◽  
Global Digital Divide ◽  
Internet Development

This chapter explores the interplay between society and Internet technology in the context of the developing former socialist country of Mongolia. This chapter goes beyond questions of access to the Internet and explores three factors of the global digital divide. First, this chapter explores how language factors such as non-Roman domain names and the use of the Cyrillic alphabet exacerbate the digital divide in the impoverished country of Mongolia. ICANN's initiation of international domain names is an initial development toward achieving linguistic diversity on the Internet. Second, this chapter explores how post-communist settings and foreign investment and aid dependency afflict Internet development. A rapid economic growth in Mongolia has increased access to mobile phones, computers, and the Internet; however, the influx of foreign capital poured into the mining, construction, and telecommunication sectors frequently comes in non-concessional terms raising concerns over the public debt in Mongolia.

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