Digital Divide in the UK

Naomi Thomas and Hannah Thornley

What is digital divide?

The concept of digital divide is complex and difficult to clearly define

However it is typically defined in terms of the divide between information haves and have-nots of people who are either connected to the internet and have access to other new media or not

Universal access

Practical embodiment of the wider theme of social inclusion

‘Inclusive society’

Rogers (2003)

• Rogers (2003) understood digital drive diffusion as primary a process of communication which

concerned the ways in which technological innovation is communicated through certain channels over time and among people within

given social systems

Age and New Media UseThe relationship between age and new media • Revealed the older you are, the less likely you are to use the internet

and other new media• Less than 20% of those aged 75 years and above are online• Non-users are more found among the oldest and youngest groups

However• Not all over 65s fail to use the internet• Rather their generation is not familiar with this technology – lacking

social and cultural capital that would allow them to go online• Home access – youngest and oldest age group are least likely to have

access to the internet at home (70% 9-11 year olds, 69% 18-19 years)

Difference in Ages

• Younger generation – instant messaging, social networks, interaction, entertainment purposes (music, games)

• Older generation – instrumental ways, shopping, banking, getting information

Gender and New Media Use

• 65% of men feel confident about their technical skills compared to 60% of women

• Men look for information on news and sport

• Women look for health information

• There is not much of a gap as the biggest area for women is leisure and entertainment. Whereas men are more likely to download music

Race/Ethnicity and New Media Use

• Ethnic minorities are disadvantaged when it comes to opportunities as there new media is expected to be different to that ethnic majorities

• USA based study (2008) found that white children are using the computer longer then black children

• Black boys use both computers and the internet less then other groups

• Although black girls use the internet more often then any other group

Inequalities and the digital divide in children

• Most 9-19 years are daily or weekly users – 84%

• Only 3% of UK 9-19 year olds have never used the internet

• 78% of parents of 9-17 year olds are internet users

Socio-economic Status and New Media Use

• Middle class children are more likely to have access to the internet than working class children

• Access is more easy for middle class children as it is more likely to be in their bedroom

• Middle class children have a greater range and quality in internet use as their parents are more likely to be expert in using the internet

However

• Schools have helped those children who at home would be digitally excluded –

• However government policy heavily supported internet access to deprived children

Conclusions

• Use of new media and especially internet is assumed to be a good thing and therefore should not be any exclusions

• More information online and more services using new media - now necessary for all

• The gaps are closing in terms of gender and ethnicity however the older you are the less likely you are to use the internet

Bibliography

• Siapera E, 2012. Chapter 4 Understanding New Media. Sage.

• Selwyn N., 2004. Reconstructing political and popular understandings of the digital divide. New media and society 6 341-362

• Livingstone, S.; Bober, M. and Helsper, E. (2005). Inequalities and the digital divide in children and young people’s internet use : findings from the UK Children Go Online project [online]. London: LSE Research

Thank you for listening Naomi Thomas and Hannah Thornley