Title

From Unequal Access to Differentiated Use: A Literature Review and Agenda for Research on Digital Inequality

Author(s)

Paul DiMaggio Paul DiMaggio (Princeton University)

Eszter Hargittai Eszter Hargittai (Northwestern University)

Coral Celeste Coral Celeste (Princeton University)

Steven Shafer Steven Shafer (Princeton University)

Abstract

This paper reviews what we know about inequality in access to and use of new digital technologies. Until recently, most research has focused on inequality in access (the "digital divide"), measured in a variety of ways. We agree that inequality of access is important, because it is likely to reinforce inequality in opportunities for economic mobility and social participation. At the same time we argue that a more thorough understanding of digital inequality requires placing Internet access in a broader theoretical context, and asking a wider range of questions about the impact of information technologies and informational goods on social inequality.

Creation Date

2003-10

Section URL ID

Paper Number

29

URL

https://www.russellsage.org/sites/all/files/u4/DiMaggio%20et%20al.pdf

File Function

Jel

Z11, L86

Keyword(s)

Suppress

false

Series

6