Title: Digital divide in social networking sites

Authors: Yoosun Hwang; Namkee Park

Addresses: Department of Journalism and Communication, Joong-bu University, 201 Daehak-ro, Chubu-myeon, Geumsan-gun, Chungnam 312-702, South Korea ' School of Communication, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, South Korea

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of demographic variables on the use of social networking sites (SNSs) and SNS users internet skills to expand the theoretical scope of digital divide. The effects of individuals intentions of using SNSs on their social participation were also examined. Data were obtained through an online survey. For the analysis of SNS use, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Cyworld were included. Results demonstrate that, for both SNS use and internet skills, education, monthly income and smartphone use affected SNS use positively, whereas age affected them negatively. Intention of relationship management and hard news consumption on SNSs influenced participation in social activities. Implications of the findings were discussed.

Keywords: mobile communications; digital divide; social networking sites; SNSs; social participation; demographic variables; internet skills; Facebook; Twitter; MySpace; Cyworld; education; monthly income; smartphone use; age; relationship management; hard news consumption.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMC.2013.056955

International Journal of Mobile Communications, 2013 Vol.11 No.5, pp.446 - 464

Published online: 03 Oct 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article