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Benefiting from the Internet. Do type of device and demographic background matter? : a comparison of achieved Internet effects between devices and user groups.

Brinkman, D.L. (2016) Benefiting from the Internet. Do type of device and demographic background matter? : a comparison of achieved Internet effects between devices and user groups.

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Abstract:In the public discourse and academic literature about Internet usage and the digital divide, benefits of the Internet are a widely discussed topic. However, little attention has yet been paid to the role of device use in the way one benefits from the Internet. Therefore this study seeks to investigate the influence of devices, as well as one’s socio-demographic background, on achieving outcomes from the Internet. In other words: who benefits the most from the Internet via which device? Based on a review of the literature about Internet usage, this study firstly identifies six Internet effects: economic, social bridging, social bonding, entertainment, institutional and health. After developing an Internet effects scale on the basis of these six Internet effects, a survey was conducted amongst 339 Dutch Internet users in the age group of 15-35 years. Results show that it does not matter whether one uses a desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet for benefiting from the Internet. When looking at socio-demographic characteristics, results show that higher educated, young men seem to take more advantages from the Internet than other groups.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:05 communication studies
Programme:Communication Studies MSc (60713)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/69711
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