Resumen
Mobile-only use in developing countries is increasing as public policies pursue universal
Internet access through mobile connections and smartphones to tackle digital inequality.
Therefore, it is relevant to understand what mobile phones mean for people, how they
engage with them, and new forms of digital inequality that may emerge. Thus, from a
digital inclusion and technology affordances perspective, this article reflects on the
perceptions and practices among mobile-only and hybrid users (mobile and PC). The
study, conducted in Chile, a country with high levels of mobile connectivity, relied on 30
in-depth interviews and digital tours, an ethnographic strategy to access participants’
smartphone customization and usage. Findings indicate that mobile-only users perceived
no differences from that of using computers, developed practices to circumvent their lack
of skills, and perceived no need to include a more complex device, such as a computer.
Hybrid users, on the other hand, evaluated their gateway access according to their goals
and contexts and were more critical of being constantly online and of the role of the
Internet in their everyday lives.
Internet access through mobile connections and smartphones to tackle digital inequality.
Therefore, it is relevant to understand what mobile phones mean for people, how they
engage with them, and new forms of digital inequality that may emerge. Thus, from a
digital inclusion and technology affordances perspective, this article reflects on the
perceptions and practices among mobile-only and hybrid users (mobile and PC). The
study, conducted in Chile, a country with high levels of mobile connectivity, relied on 30
in-depth interviews and digital tours, an ethnographic strategy to access participants’
smartphone customization and usage. Findings indicate that mobile-only users perceived
no differences from that of using computers, developed practices to circumvent their lack
of skills, and perceived no need to include a more complex device, such as a computer.
Hybrid users, on the other hand, evaluated their gateway access according to their goals
and contexts and were more critical of being constantly online and of the role of the
Internet in their everyday lives.
Idioma original | Inglés |
---|---|
Páginas (desde-hasta) | 2208-2226 |
Número de páginas | 19 |
Publicación | International Journal of Communication |
Volumen | 14 |
Estado | Publicada - 2020 |
Nota bibliográfica
Publisher Copyright:© 2020. (Isabel Pavez and Teresa Correa). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd). Available at http://ijoc.org. All Rights Reserved.
Palabras clave
- Internet users
- mobile-only users