Levels Of Internet Access Research Articles

Digital health divide in Indonesia: evidence from national-level data

Abstract Indonesia is a country in south-east Asia with a diverse population and context underlined by its geographical condition as an archipelagic country. Due to closer proximity to the capital, the Western regions (e.g., provinces in Sumatra and Java islands) are relatively more developed than the central and eastern parts of Indonesia (e.g., Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, and Papua). In the last few years, the country started to embrace digital transformation for public services including the health sector. Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, a proliferation of digital health services through for example the use of telehealth and health apps is now considered important to improve access and availability of health services, especially among marginalized and hard-to-reach populations. Nonetheless, the difference in access to information and technology infrastructure and services as well as in the level of digital literacy across different regions in Indonesia may perpetuate the existing inequity in access to health services. In 2022, data from the Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistics showed that the level of internet access in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta has reached 85%, while the level in the eastern part of Indonesia (i.e., Papua) is only 26%. Similarly, the level of internet access in the Western provinces tend to be higher than their Eastern counterparts. Additionally, a survey performed by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics to assess the level of digital literacy in Indonesia shows that 85% out of 10,000 respondents accessed the internet through smartphones. However, almost all respondents encounter problems when accessing the internet, especially regarding network quality which causes unstable and frequent connections disconnected. In addition, the level of digital literacy varies across different regions, with the Western region performing better than other regions (e.g., digital literacy index of 3.64 in Yogyakarta vs 3.55 in Papua in 2022).

Toward a Sustainable Development of E-Commerce in EU: The Role of Education, Internet Infrastructure, Income, and Economic Freedom on E-Commerce Growth

The emergence of e-commerce reshaped the traditional trade models, also playing a significant role in meeting the UN sustainable development goals. According to the UN, sustained growth and social development must include resilient infrastructure, foster innovation, allow for better access to information and communications technology, and universal and affordable internet infrastructure. This study explores a multidimensional analysis of e-commerce development in the EU generated by the following factors: education, internet infrastructure, income, and economic freedom. We use an ARDL econometric model and Eurostat data. Additionally, we analyze the time responsiveness of e-commerce growth to changes in these factors. In the long run, our findings identify a stable and positive relationship between e-commerce and all these factors. However, in the short run, our results illustrate significant dynamics between two variables and e-commerce. Specifically, the level of internet access and the percentage of individuals who use the internet daily exhibit a positive short-run impact on e-commerce sales, with the system absorbing shocks within a short period. This research advocates for targeted policies that support innovation, fair competition, and consumer protection in the digital economy. This research provides valuable guidance for policymakers and stakeholders in improving the institutional framework to promote a sustainable development of e-commerce in the EU.

Does Tax Simplification Motivate Small Businesses to be More Compliant? Evidence from a Regression Discontinuity in Indonesia

This research investigates how the tax simplification program in Indonesia affects tax compliance among small businesses, by employing a regression discontinuity design and examining various parameters of tax compliance. The results indicate that tax simplification does not significantly influence tax payment behaviour. However, it does have a positive effect on overall tax compliance, demonstrated by more frequent reporting and fewer penalties imposed. Analysis of heterogeneous treatment effects reveals considerable variation across geographic areas and internet access levels. Taxpayers in areas with decent internet access and near a tax office appear to benefit more from the program.

Excluded from essential internet services: Examining associations between digital exclusion, socio-economic resources and internet resources

In digitized welfare countries, an increasing number of services to fulfill essential needs related to finances, housing, health care, social security, and mobility have been moving from physical to internet services. Scholars, policy makers, and social practitioners are interested in monitoring who cannot use these essential internet services and, therefore, are excluded. Drawing on a media literacy perspective and capability theory, this study applies an alternative way to investigate digital exclusion or the third level of the digital divide. Using a survey administered among a sample of adults (n = 674, 57% female, Mage = 49.93, SDage = 14.44) in the Flemish region of Belgium, this study empirically examined the associations between exclusion from essential internet services, socio-economic resources, and internet resources. Overall, the study found that people living in poverty, without a secondary education, experiencing loneliness, or having a poor health status were three to five times at a greater risk of digital exclusion compared with their counterparts. This association between socio-economic resources and digital exclusion can be partially explained by the individuals’ levels of internet access, skills, and use frequency. In addition, we also found that people with high socio-economic resources can still be digitally excluded, and vice versa, people with low socio-economic resources can be digitally included. Therefore, digital inclusion initiatives should avoid stereotypical targeting and must target all citizens. Furthermore, internet skills and use experience are highly important for preventing digital exclusion, but other social mechanisms that may preclude people from using essential internet services should be explored in the future.

Measuring sadness index based on country statistics

The article studied topics related to measuring people’s sadness. For this purpose, the question was asked which factor: social, economic or climate, matters most. The paper analyzed, using machine learning, statistical data related to the number of suicides against the factors: level of Internet access, average income, temperature in a country and, in addition, population density. The method used was correlational statistical analysis using the K-nearest neighbor (KNN) method and also Pearson’s correlation. The results were visualized in the form of graphs, then subjected to final analysis and included in the form of final conclusions.

DIGITALIZATION IN EUROPE

"The paper presents some aspects about digitalization in Europe taking into consideration the new pandemic context. Several indicators linked to the topic were chosen for the purpose of this study. The indicators refer to households – level of internet access, individuals’ level of digital skills, employed persons working from home as a percentage of total employment and E-government activities of individuals via websites. The information was analysed with statistical indicators. The result shows that not all the countries of the European Union are prepared to adapt to that new situation."

Tribal Technology Assessment: The State of Internet Service on Tribal Lands

Access to high-speed Internet service has become an essential component to the nation’s economy, education, and healthcare. However, federal data continues to show tribal lands are the least connected areas of the country. AIPI launched a survey to collect information from residents of tribal reservations to determine what levels of Internet access they had and what types of devices they using to access it. The study also identified potential barriers to access, such as the lack of availability or its unaffordability for residents to purchase. Our survey found that residents on tribal lands are predominantly using smart phones to access the internet, while many are also accessing it through public Wi-Fi or at a friend/relative’s house. However, the data should not be interpreted or used to defend “mobile only” as the singular solution to providing internet service. In this study 50% of respondents stated that their internet use was limited because they did not have enough data in their cell phone plan. Further research is needed to ascertain if there are specific limitations of mobile use in certain situations, such as the reliability or preference of using mobile over hardline connections for certain activities.

Technological Free Economic Zones In Developing Countries And Opportunities For Their Implementation In Uzbekistan Teacher Of Tashkent State Institute Of Oriental Studies

This article explores the experience of China and Turkey in the creation and development of technologically free economic zones. The level of innovation development in the countries is analyzed depending on the level of Internet access, high-speed internet access and Global innovation index.

Digital Empowerment Strategies in the Education Sector for the Linking of Citizens with the Key Sectors of Colombian Society

Objective: To develop digital inclusion strategies that could be linked to the Colombians with the key factors of society: Government, education and business. Methods: With the document review, a questionnaire was designed for the collection of data; validated by experts. Reliability was measured through the Cronbach\'s alpha coefficient, obtaining a value of 0.83. The instrument had a high reliability with 16 questions of the dimensions: Accessibility, integration and management of employment equity. The Lickert scale was kind of five response options: Very high = 5, high = 4, Moderate = 3, Low = 2 and very low =1. Findings: It is considered that the Colombian citizen has a very high degree in the use of information and communication technologies and access to these to reduce the time requests and procedures performed with state institutions and the private sector. The social environment had forced it to digitally literate through various state agencies as is the case of the universities. The results obtained indicate that the University has the opportunity to train citizens in digital. In addition, to improve the skills of citizens so that they have better possibilities to improve the living conditions and be in keeping with the demands of society. Application/Improvements: The university extension constitutes the academic element suitable to relate the academy with the environment and bring knowledge to the society. In Colombia, the conditions are given to implement policies of digital inclusion; due to the increase in the levels of Internet access and the regulation of inclusion developed by the government through the MinTic. Keywords: Colombian Society, Digital Empowerment, Education Sector, Information and Communication Technologies, Linking of Citizens

Corporate Reputation on the Web: reflections about Communication learning programs and social mediamanagement in Brazil

Fenômenos como a disseminação dos dispositivos móveis, o aumento dos níveis de acesso à Internet, a participação da população conectada no consumo e na produção de conteúdo têm sido observados no Brasil nas últimas décadas. Os avanços da cibercultura na sociedade contemporânea brasileira delineiam um cenário marcado pela liquidez dos padrões e pela emergência de novas formas de configuração entre indivíduos e organizações. Diante disso, este texto trata do mercado brasileiro de articulação de redes sociais e seus profissionais, contemplando a formação nas Instituições de Ensino Superior e as habilidades e competências no uso da mídia e informação, definidas pela Unesco como MIL – Literacias de Mídia e Informação. Para tanto, foram realizadas pesquisa quantitativa e qualitativa, conforme os procedimentos adotados no livro “Relações Públicas, Mercado e Redes Sociais”, de “Autor deste artigo” (2014), e da Tese de Doutorado, publicada pelo mesmo autor (2017). As pesquisas buscaram driblar os desafios de penetrar no universo das organizações brasileiras e dialogar com os profissionais do mercado e das instituições de ensino que lecionam Relações Públicas. Acredita-se que o presente texto sinalize a necessidade de estratégias de longo prazo para o fortalecimento da reputação corporativa na Web.

Empirical study of a sequence of access to Internet use in Ecuador

Ecuador is a country that represents the efforts that a few countries in the Latin American and the Caribbean region are making on infrastructures, regulations and policies that are favorable towards the use of the Internet. However, although the digital divide in its most basic form (physical access and use) is closing with respect to developed countries, a new, more complex digital divide is moving forward, and is related to the socio-economic advantages of the Internet. This study, which used a random sample stratified by provinces and which comprised 3754 respondents representing the secondary school students in Ecuador, had as objectives: (a) to verify the relationship and sequence among the different levels to access the Internet found on secondary school students; and (b) to verify to what degree the student’s family status influenced the different levels of Internet access. Through the empirical analysis of a structural model, the results showed a sequence between the relationships found among the different levels of Internet access, as well as the cumulative effect of the technical resources and levels of digital literacy on the academic use of the Internet. Likewise, it was observed that the influence of the student’s family status lost strength as the level of Internet access increased.

The Use of Internet-Enabled Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety amongst Older People

This article reports on the experience of internet-enabled cognitive behavioural therapy (IECBT) for older people diagnosed with depression and anxiety. IECBT involves synchronous real-time communication between the therapist and patient via instant messaging and has been found to be effective in the treatment of patients over eighteen diagnosed with depression. While younger populations are an obvious focus for studies into the potential of internet-based therapies, older people’s experience of such therapies can be overlooked due to assumptions about their relatively lower rates of internet use. However, rapid increases in this generation’s levels of internet access make this an important avenue of enquiry. In addition, such therapies may offer a route to address the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of depression and anxiety among older people. Once older people are diagnosed, evidence suggests that they tend to prefer psychological therapies, and these can be effective in this age group. This article therefore builds on the positive findings about IECBT as a treatment option in general by, for the first time, analysing quantitative data relating to older people’s use of this form of therapy. It analyses secondary data on patient characteristics, take-up of treatment, and treatment outcomes, finding that older men are over-represented among IECBT patients and that rates of self-referral are higher in this age group.

The Digital Divide And Job Stability During The Great Recession

Researchers and policy makers have identified the existence of a Digital Divide in the United States, between those who have access to the internet and technology in general, and those who do not. Most research into the relationship between the access to technology and labor market outcomes has revolved around on-the-job computer use and the extent to which it determines wages. Using a nationally representative dataset, this study looks instead at access to the internet at home prior to the Great Recession, and examines whether this is significantly related to job loss during the Great Recession. The results of this analysis indicate that internet access prior was a stronger predictor of job loss during the Great Recession than on-the-job computer use. With recent data that internet access levels in the United States may have plateaued for certain sections of the population, this finding has broad implications for both workers and employers, and lends urgency to the policy objective of expanding internet access.

ІНФОРМАТИЗАЦІЯ ЗАКЛАДІВ ОХОРОНИ ЗДОРОВ'Я ЯК ОСНОВА ЕФЕКТИВНИХ КОМУНІКАЦІЙ В СИСТЕМІ ОХОРОНИ ЗДОРОВ'Я

A low level of computerization of primary and secondary health care and a higher level in tertiary health care is shown. At the same time a low level of Internet access in primary health care institutions and much higher - in institutions of secondary and tertiary levels of health care is shown. The current level of informatization does not allow health care institutions to implement an effective system of communication in healthcare.

Multivariate analysis of determinants of Internet banking use in European Union countries

The main objective of the paper is to analyse the determinants of Internet banking use in European Union countries based on EUROSTAT data for 2011. The considered determinants of Internet banking use are selected in line with relevant theoretical and empirical research and submitted to factor analysis which yielded two factors. The first extracted factor comprises Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, i.e. broadband penetration rate and level of Internet access. The second factor comprises individuals’ level of Internet skills and GDP per capita. On the basis of the two mentioned factors, European Union countries are grouped into two clusters using cluster analysis. In order to analyse the impact of selected variables, a multiple regression analysis of Internet banking use is performed using extracted factors as independent variables. The regression analysis shows that an increase in ICT infrastructure leads to an increase in Internet banking use.

The use of internet services and resources by scientists at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the extent and level of internet access and use among scientists at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Nigeria, its impact on their academic activities and the constraints faced in internet use.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey with all the 125 scientists in the Faculty of Science of OOU was conducted between March and April, 2009. This was supplemented with interview and personal observations. Demographic data, pattern of internet use, impact of internet on academic activities and problems faced when using internet were assessed. Data analysis was by simple descriptive statistics.FindingsThe use of internet use was widespread (100 per cent) among the scientists with the majority (43.6 per cent) using it every day, and mean internet use experience being 6.3 years. The majority of respondents (64.5 per cent) accessed the internet from a commercial cybercafé followed by homes (49.1 per cent). Most of the respondents (59.2 per cent) acquired internet use skills through colleagues and friends and 32.7 per cent on their own by trial and error. The respondents used internet mostly for communication, research and updating knowledge. Email was the most popular internet service, while Google, followed by Yahoo and Scholar Google, were the most used search engines. The majority of the scientists (67.3 per cent) prefer getting information from the internet, while less than one‐third (30 per cent) still prefer the traditional library. More than half of the respondents (53.6 per cent) were not using library free full text online resources such as AGORA and HINARI, and most of the respondents spent 5,001 to 7,500 Naira (USD33 to 50) monthly for internet use. The scientists believed that the internet has enhanced their academic activities by generally holding very positive opinions on the contribution of internet to their job performance. The major constraints faced by the scientists in using internet were the epileptic power supply with 60.0 per cent response followed by slow internet connection/speed (57 per cent) and inadequate institutional internet facilities (49.1 per cent). The findings of the study have revealed the need for the university to improve on its internet infrastructures and effective user education among the scientists for the maximal benefit from utilization of internet.Practical implicationsThis study contributes to the body of knowledge in expanding the literature on internet use. It has also profoundly contributed to policy making and planning and it has indicated the need for the university policy makers to provide internet access for the scientists in their offices, library and e learning centres.Originality/valueThis paper has provided useful empirical data on the usage of internet by the scientists in OOU, Ago Iwoye. The results of this study should assist the university management and the library administrators in OOU and also other universities in the country on how to improve on the provision of internet services.

Availability and the use of computer and internet by secondary school students in Benin City, Nigeria

This study identifies the availability of internet use among 1000 secondary schools students Benin City, Nigeria. Internet has become a useful tool for education. Access to information communication technology (ICT), the internet in particular, has provided people especially students with a foundation for meeting their information needs. Many private schools can boast of computer laboratories, but only few can pride themselves on Internet access. Another frustration is the capacity to use the Internet. Methodology adopted is the survey design in which questionnaires was used for obtaining data. The target population of this study was students from private secondary schools in the cosmopolitan city of Benin. Multi-stage sampling method and purposive sampling was adopted in the research. 1000 students were selected from 20 private secondary schools across the two (out of three) local government of Benin City. Result showed that students have the capacity to use the internet which they learnt from friends and family members. However, the level of internet access in schools is poor despite the schools having computer laboratories. Students access the internet from their homes and cyber cafes since they are denied access in their respective schools while most of the students use the internet for educational activities. Internet availability should be considered as one of the most important scientific tools in schools. Key words: Internet, internet access, computers, secondary schools, Benin City.

Availability and the use of computer and internet by secondary school students in Benin City, Nigeria

This study identifies the availability of internet use among 1000 secondary schools students Benin City, Nigeria. Internet has become a useful tool for education. Access to information communication technology (ICT), the internet in particular, has provided people especially students with a foundation for meeting their information needs. Many private schools can boast of computer laboratories, but only few can pride themselves on Internet access. Another frustration is the capacity to use the Internet. Methodology adopted is the survey design in which questionnaires was used for obtaining data. The target population of this study was students from private secondary schools in the cosmopolitan city of Benin. Multi-stage sampling method and purposive sampling was adopted in the research. 1000 students were selected from 20 private secondary schools across the two (out of three) local government of Benin City. Result showed that students have the capacity to use the internet which they learnt from friends and family members. However, the level of internet access in schools is poor despite the schools having computer laboratories. Students access the internet from their homes and cyber cafes since they are denied access in their respective schools while most of the students use the internet for educational activities. Internet availability should be considered as one of the most important scientific tools in schools. Key words: Internet, internet access, computers, secondary schools, Benin City.

Internet access and use

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent and level of internet access and use by undergraduate students in three Nigerian universities as well as the electronic resources used by these students on the internet.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey was the research method used for data collection. Questionnaires were distributed to undergraduate students in three public universities in Nigeria: University of Calabar, Calabar; University of Uyo, Uyo, and Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.FindingsThe findings of the study reveal that the internet is extensively used by undergraduate students in the surveyed universities. There is inequitable access to the internet, as students mostly rely on private/commercial internet cybercafés – both on and off campuses – for their access and use. Access to the internet in the university libraries, departments/faculties and university computer/ICT centers is grossly poor; this is due to lack of poor internet infrastructure and connectivity and non‐sustainable internet services in these universities. In spite of the extensive use of the internet, there exists a poor level of use of electronic resources such as the electronic journals and online databases which are essential for learning and research. The findings of the study have also revealed the need for effective user education on internet access and use in university libraries in Nigeria for optimal utilization of electronic information sources.Originality/valueThe paper will be useful for those in decision‐making roles as it reveals the need for the provision of relevant internet infrastructural facilities in Nigerian universities to enhance equitable and sustainable access to the internet by the students to support their academic activities.

SEARCHING THE NET

Notwithstanding a growing interest in online politics, the analysis of web sites’ qualities by social movement organizations (SMOs) has received little attention in social research. In creating their sites, SMOs often underline the capacity of new technologies to involve members and sympathizers in organizational processes and internal decision-making. However, web site design and management implies many choices among various goals, often in reciprocal tension: stressing organizational identity versus opening to the outside; increasing transparency versus reserving some sections to members; informing users versus mobilizing them; widening the debate to people with different opinions versus deepening the discussion in homogeneous groups. In this article, we focus on how the web sites of SMOs are fulfilling Internet potentialities, considering various aspects of their online presence. The empirical research was based on the analysis of 261 web sites of Global Justice Movement (GJM) organizations in six different European countries and at the transnational level. Diverse qualities of SMOs’ web sites can be explored empirically, focusing on a series of dimensions such as: information provision, identity building, transparency/accountability, mobilization, and intervention on the digital divide. In our analysis, we will use contextual characteristics (level of Internet access, GJM features) and organizational characteristics (structural features, territorial level of action, year of foundation) to explain the different qualities of the web sites.