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Reframing the digital divide: From barriers of internet non-use to gradients of use — Case study of a Southern U.S. city

Author

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  • Anaraky, Reza Ghaiumy
  • Alsoubai, Ashwaq
  • Hanebutt, Rachel A.
  • Nov, Oded
  • Wisniewski, Pamela J.

Abstract

Prior studies on the digital divide have focused on different aspects of digital inequity but have yet to develop a cohesive framework to methodologically examine the digital divide at multiple levels. Recognizing the need for a more integrated approach, our work first synthesizes three levels of the digital divide into a cohesive framework ranging from non-use to gradients of use and maps these dimensions to socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, race) to identify digital inequities. Second, we demonstrate the applicability of our framework by operationalizing each level using a novel statistical approach to create profiles of internet non-users and users based on the dimensions of divide. Finally, we present a case study based on survey responses from 2186 adults, primarily from underserved urban communities in Nashville, a large Southeastern U.S. city, to show how the empirical results from this approach can inform actionable interventions and policy changes that promote digital inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Anaraky, Reza Ghaiumy & Alsoubai, Ashwaq & Hanebutt, Rachel A. & Nov, Oded & Wisniewski, Pamela J., 2025. "Reframing the digital divide: From barriers of internet non-use to gradients of use — Case study of a Southern U.S. city," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:83:y:2025:i:c:s0160791x25001733
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102983
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