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A Multivariate Study of Internet Use and the Digital Divide *
Author(s) -
SerranoCinca C.,
MuñozSoro J. F.,
Brusca I.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
social science quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.482
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1540-6237
pISSN - 0038-4941
DOI - 10.1111/ssqu.12504
Subject(s) - digital divide , the internet , perspective (graphical) , entertainment , government (linguistics) , sociology , recreation , public relations , internet privacy , advertising , business , political science , computer science , world wide web , law , linguistics , philosophy , artificial intelligence
Objective This article explores the use of Internet, including social networks, e‐government services, and e‐commerce, from the perspective of the digital divide. First, it aims to find out what factors explain the digital divide. Second, the article aims to identify the groups that are digitally excluded. Method The article is based on survey data ( N = 2,304) collected in Spain, which are analyzed using multiple regression, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis. Results Two dimensions are identified: the first is the comprehensive use of Internet and the second is the nature of this use, differentiating between a professional use and a recreational and social use of Internet. The article verifies that factors explaining the digital divide are age, education level, and income. Conclusions The article identifies digitally excluded segments, and the efforts and actions for digital training to eradicate the digital divide should be directed at these groups. The most serious problem is encountered in homeworkers who are mainly woman. NEETs (not in education, employment, or training) are frequent users of Internet, but they only use it for entertainment and to certain extent they are digitally excluded.