ǂan ǂexamination how reasons for internet non-use relate to proxy internet use
Darja Leskovec (Author), Bianca Christin Reisdorf (Author), Andraž Petrovčič (Author)

Abstract

Internet non-use is increasingly concentrated in vulnerable groups of people, especially among ageing populations and those with low socio-economic status. As participation in society becomes largely dependent on use of internet-enabled technologies, internet non-users may seek alternative ways of using the internet. Proxy internet use (PIU), where internet non-users ask internet users to perform online activities on their behalf, is a strategy for obtaining (indirect) internet access. This study examines factors for engagement in PIU, focusing specifically on how nonusers' reasons for disengagement relate to their engagement in PIU. The results from multivariate analyses of survey data from a nation-wide representative sample show that 47% of internet nonusers in Slovenia who report having someone available for PIU in fact engage in PIU. In analysing four types of reasons for internet non-use - those related to interest, access, costs and skills - the results show that access issues are negatively related to engagement in PIU. Conversely, reasons related to skills issues are positively related to engagement in PIU. Considering that access to online services through PIU offers an important degree of digital inclusion, the results of this study have important policy implications. Policy initiatives tackling digital inequalities should be sensible to access and skills issues resulting in disengagement. For example, policies directed at providing and maintaining internet access at a household level may result in non-users' increased opportunities for PIU. In contrast, skills policies should be directed at creating opportunities for informal and person-centred learning of digital skills, considering that non-users who are more aware of their deficiency in skills might be more aware of online opportunities.

Keywords

proxy internet use;internet non-use;digital inclusion;indirect internet access;digital skills;Dostop do interneta;Uporaba interneta;Družbeni vidik;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
UDC: 316:004.738.5
COBISS: 35721821 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 0308-5961
Views: 34
Downloads: 12
Average score: 0 (0 votes)
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Other data

Secondary language: English
Secondary keywords: Internet access;Internet usage;Social aspects;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 213-224
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ43
Issue: ǂno. ǂ3
Chronology: Apr. 2019
DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2018.07.004
ID: 16243752
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