Title: Gaps close, gaps open: a repeated cross-sectional study of the scope and determinants of the ethnic digital divide

Authors: Sabina Lissitsa; Azi Lev-On

Addresses: School of Communication, Ariel University, Ariel, 40700, Israel ' School of Communication, Ariel University, Ariel, 40700, Israel

Abstract: The paper is part of a repeated cross-sectional study examining how groups in multi-ethnic states adopt and use information and communication technologies, with focus on the magnitude and the determinants of the digital divide between Jews and Arabs in Israel as a case study. The study examines socio-economic and socio-demographic factors correlated to internet usage in general and usage of social media in particular, based on data collected between 2008 and 2010 by the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics Annual Social Survey. The data was collected by means of face-to-face interviews conducted annually among 7500 interviewees aged 20 and above. The study demonstrates the multi-dimensionality of the digital divide phenomena and shows how the digital divide does not diminish, yet, rather, transforms over time. As access differences between Jews and Arabs gradually diminish, a 'second-level' digital divide of social media usage actually widens.

Keywords: digital divide; internet access; social media; internet usage; multi-ethnic states; information and communication technology; ICT; information technology; Jews; Arabs; Israel; case study; ethnicity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEG.2014.065080

International Journal of Electronic Governance, 2014 Vol.7 No.1, pp.56 - 71

Received: 10 May 2013
Accepted: 16 Apr 2014
Published online: 06 Feb 2015 *

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