Internet adoption and usage patterns in rural Mexico

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to identify the socioeconomic and demographic factors that stimulate Internet adoption and use among Mexico's rural population. Using an econometric model to deal with potential selection bias problems, and information from Mexico's National Survey on Availability and Use of Information Technologies in Households (ENDUTIH), our results suggest that the probability of using the Internet is higher for people who have digital skills and for women. Internet usage patterns differ by age, educational level, employment type, and geographic location. Young people are more likely to take part in online activities for entertainment purposes, while people of working age go online for information, communication, and e-commerce-related activities. These findings provide evidence on the existing digital divide in terms of Internet penetration and usage in Mexico's rural sector, which is in the early stages of Internet diffusion.