Mobile Communication and Digital Inequality

Laura Zannella , National Institute of Statistics

The use of new information and communication technologies (ICT) can help improve people's lives in regards to social interaction, access to information, and the use of online services aimed at such simplification. With this study, based on micro data from an Italian survey on the use of ICT by families and individuals relating to the period 2006-2016, the following research questions are intended: how is the use of ICT currently characterized in Italy and what changes have occurred in the last decade? Can mobile telephony, and in particular the smartphone, be considered digital inclusion drivers, especially for traditionally disadvantaged segments? The first part of the work analyzes, by means of a logistic regression model, connections between the first-level digital divide and socio-demographic and territorial characteristics of the Italian population aged 16-74. Subsequently, second-level digital divides are analyzed by relating the different devices used to connect to the Internet and digital skills. Particular attention is paid to use of the smartphone and associated digital skills

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 Presented in Session P3. Poster Session Migration, Economics, Environment, Methods, History and Policy