Title:	A COMPARATIVE SURVEY STUDY ON ICT ACCESS AND USE OF INCOME-POOR AND NON-INCOME-POOR FLEMISH PEOPLE
Author(s):	Sarah Anrijs, Lieven De Marez and Koen Ponnet
ISBN:	978-989-8704-26-9
Editors:	Piet Kommers and Pedro Isaías
Year:	2021
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	ICT, Digital Inequality, Digital Difficulties Scale, Poor People, Survey Study
Type:	Full
First Page:	93
Last Page:	100
Language:	English
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Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	It remains unclear whether income-poor people have personal access to ICTs, whether they can use ICTs to fulfill basic needs, and which ICT problem solving strategies they can apply. Knowledge about the ICT resources of income-poor people is however crucial as governments, profit and non-profit organizations aim to digitize their services and administrations. Survey data were collected among 58 income-poor people (58.6% men, Mage = 47.2, SDage = 11.5) and compared with a sample of 569 non-income-poor people (48.7% men, Mage = 39.6, SDage = 13.2). Our results demonstrate that compared to non-income-poor people, significant more income-poor people do not have a computer, laptop or tablet and internet connection at home because they cannot afford it. Also, more income-poor people experience difficulties to look for a job online, to apply for financial benefits, or to search important information, while fewer income-poor people receive help or emotional support with ICT problems from others. Consequently, we recommend policy and organizations to invest in an internet and computer subsidy system and minimal non-digital services.
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