Abstract
Most studies of the digital divide are concerned with the simple criterion of access,
usually in the convenient locale of one’s home. That divide could be exacerbated by usage
differences after such access has been achieved, however. This article takes advantage of
usage data from the General Social Survey and other surveys to examine whether more
highly educated respondents also have such advantages in usage processes after access
has been achieved. Education has emerged from the NTIA and other national surveys as a
more important multivariate predictor than income.
Using a framework developed by DiMaggio and Hargittai (2001), it is found that
college-educated respondents possess clear advantages over high-school educated
respondents in using the Internet to derive occupational, educational and other benefits.
The clearest advantage appears in terms of the types of sites visited, uses made and
political discussion. Here, multivariate evidence shows that education—and occasionally
income, age and marital status—is associated with consistently more long-term uses
related to enhanced life chances via work, education, health or political participation;
education is also related to less use for simple, short-term, entertainment or personal
purposes. The advantages to the college educated are also evident in their keeping in
contact with a wider range of friends and relatives, particularly by email. On the other
hand, in several areas (e.g. search strategies employed; receiving assistance from
relatives) little gap by education exists.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-22 |
Journal | IT & Society |
Volume | 1 |
State | Published - 2003 |