First Time-Users of the Mobile Internet in the Global South

First-time users of the mobile Internet have not received much attention in studies of the adoption and diffusion of the technology in the Global South. This would not much matter if such users comprised only a small fraction of the total number or if they behaved in a similar way to other users in the region. The evidence provided, however, suggests that neither of these alternatives carry much weight. For, not only do very large numbers of persons use the mobile Internet for the first time in any given year, but they also undergo a very different learning process from those who have used the technology for a longer period of time. In short, those in the former category tend to suffer from a relative paucity of digital skills, that results in a narrow choice of Internet uses, based heavily on entertainment rather than development. In the concluding policy section, I emphasize that an important tool for imparting skills to first-time users involves one-on-one-contact with mobile agents or street vendors. Two cases are cited in which this form of contact appears to have a marked, positive impact.