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Family Conditions and the Accessibility of Online Education: The Digital Divide and Mediating Factors

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  • Jiafeng Gu

    (Institute of Social Science Survey, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

Abstract

This study is an exploration of the digital divide between urban and rural areas, and it was conducted to assess the impact of the minimum living guarantee system on online education in China. The results of the research showed that 83.38% of students in low-income families have been able to participate in online education at home during the pandemic, while 16.62% of students in low-income families have been unable to do so. The absence of computers, smartphones, and broadband Internet access in low-income households reduces the likelihood of children being able to participate in online education at home. In terms of accessing online education at home, students from urban areas have obvious advantages over those from rural ones, and students from minimum living guarantee families have obvious advantages over those from marginal minimum living guarantee ones. This study also showed that the presence of online education-related amenities, including computers, smartphones, and Internet access, mediates the relationship between the subsistence allowance system, Hukou , and accessibility of online education. To address this issue, this paper includes suggestions for bridging the digital divide in online education.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiafeng Gu, 2021. "Family Conditions and the Accessibility of Online Education: The Digital Divide and Mediating Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8590-:d:606627
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chairassamee, Nattanicha & Chancharoenchai, Kanokwan & Saraithong, Wuthiya & Temsumrit, Navarat, 2024. "Inequality in educational opportunity in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    2. Gabriel Bratucu & Eliza Nichifor & Silvia Sumedrea & Ioana Bianca Chitu & Radu Constantin Lixandroiu, 2022. "Avoiding Digital Divide in European Union through European Green Deal," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 24(59), pages 1-77.
    3. Betul Yikici & Fahriye Altinay & Zehra Altinay & Ramesh Chander Sharma & Gokmen Dagli, 2022. "Adoption of Online Education and Pedagogy as New Codes of Life for New Future in Rural Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Jiafeng Gu, 2022. "Impact of Living Conditions on Online Education: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-17, March.

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