Share Paper: Technology Digital Divide in China

  1. Fang Chen, Kean University, United States
Tuesday, March 8 2:00-2:30 PM Hermitage B

Abstract: This paper examines the inequality of Internet use in China. Based on an official survey, the paper attempts to demonstrate a timely change of Internet penetration in China through analyzing statistical sequential data. The author finds that, China’s technology digital divide exists not only between urban and rural but also among regions. Although China has successfully expanded its Internet use in the last decade, the divide is not narrowing, but widening, education, income and location are three influential factors of the digital divide. The paper suggests that efforts to bridge this divide should be made at various levels.