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Income poor, ICT poor? A survey study on ICT access and difficulties of Flemish income poor people

Book Contribution - Book Abstract Conference Contribution

It remains unclear whether poor people have personal access to ICTs, whether they can use ICTs to fulfill basic needs, and whether they can rely on support for ICT problems. Knowledge about the ICT resources of 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 income-poor people receive fewer instrumental and emotional support for ICT problems. Consequently, we recommend policy and organizations to invest in an internet and computer subsidy system and minimal non-digital services.
Book: Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap 2021, Abstracts
Number of pages: 1
Publication year:2021
Accessibility:Open