The Internet is a critically important research site for sociologists testing theories of technology diffusion and media effects, particularly because it medium uniquely capable integrating modes communication forms content. Current tends to focus on the Internet's implications in five domains: 1) inequality (the “digital divide”); 2) community social capital; 3) political participation; 4) organizations other economic institutions; 5) cultural participation diversity. A recurrent theme...

People who have grown up with digital media are often assumed to be universally savvy information and communication technologies. Such assumptions rarely grounded in empirical evidence, however. This article draws on unique data about a diverse group of young adults' Internet uses skills suggest that even when controlling for access experiences, people differ their online abilities activities. Additionally, findings know-how is not randomly distributed among the population, rather, higher...

Are there systematic differences between people who use social network sites and those stay away, despite a familiarity with them? Based on data from survey administered to diverse group of young adults, this article looks at the predictors SNS usage, particular focus Facebook, MySpace, Xanga, Friendster. Findings suggest that such is not randomly distributed across highly wired users. A person’s gender, race ethnicity, parental educational background are all associated use, but in most...

This article expands understanding of the digital divide to more nuanced measures use by examining differences in young adults' online activities. Young adults are most highly connected age group, but that does not mean their Internet uses homogenous. Analyzing data about Web 270 from across United States, explores 18- 26-year-olds' activities and what social factors explain variation. Findings suggest those with higher levels education a resource-rich background for “capitalenhancing”...

Abstract This paper looks at the prevalence of creative activity and sharing in an age when barriers to disseminating material have been considerably lowered compared with earlier times. The authors use unique data explore extent which young adults create video, music, writing artistic photography, as well such online. Findings suggest that despite new opportunities engage distribution content, relatively few people are taking advantage these recent developments. Moreover, neither creation...

Objective. The literature on gender and technology use finds that women men differ significantly in their attitudes toward technological abilities. Concurrently, existing work science math abilities of students suggests such perceived differences do not always translate into actual disparities. We examine the yet‐neglected area concerning with respect to Internet‐use ability. In particular, we test how self‐perceived are related these may by gender. Methods. new data web‐use skill...

Objective. Sociologists of technology propose that not only a technological artifact, as such, but also patterns usage should be considered when studying the social implications technologies. Accordingly, we explore how people's online activities are influenced by users' socioeconomic status and context use. Methods. We analyze data from Allensbacher Computer Technology Analysis (ACTA) 2004 survey with uniquely detailed information about Internet uses to this relationship. Results. Findings...

With over 500 million users, the decisions that Facebook makes about its privacy settings have potential to influence many people. While changes in this domain often prompted advocates and news media critique company, has continued attract more users service. This raises a question whether or not Facebook's approaches matter and, if so, whom. paper examines attitudes practices of cohort 18- 19-year-olds surveyed 2009 again 2010 settings. Our results challenge widespread assumptions youth do...

This article presents survey measures of web-oriented digital literacy to serve as proxies for observed skill measures, which are much more expensive and difficult collect large samples. Findings based on a study that examined users’ through both observations questions, making it possible check the validity proxy measures. These analyses yield set recommendations what work well people’s web-use skills. Some these were administered General Social Survey 2000 2002 Internet modules, findings...

The increasing spread of the Internet holds much potential for enhancing opportunities people with disabilities. However, scarce evidence exists to suggest that disabilities are, in fact, participating these new developments. Will information technologies (IT) increase equality by offering disabilities? Or will a growing reliance on IT lead more inequality leaving behind certain portions population including In this paper, authors draw nationally representative data regarding Americans' uses...

Governments and public health institutions across the globe have set social distancing stay-at-home guidelines to battle COVID-19 pandemic. With reduced opportunities spend time together in person come new challenges remain socially connected. This essay addresses how pandemic has changed people’s use of digital communication methods, inequalities these methods may arise. We draw on data collected from 1,374 American adults between 4 8 April 2020, about two weeks after lockdown measures were...

When people construct and share posts on social network sites like Facebook Twitter, whom do they imagine as their audience? How users describe this imagined Do have a sub-audience in mind (e.g., “friends who reality television”)? more broadly abstractly “the public”)? such imaginings fluctuate each time person posts? Using mixed-methods approach involving 2-month-long diary study of 119 diverse American adults 1,200 site posts, supplemented with follow-up interviews ( N = 30), explores the...

We contend that as Internet penetration increases, students of inequality access to the new information technologies should shift their attention from “digital divide” -- between “haves” and “have-nots” differentiated by dichotomous measures or use digital inequality, which we refer not just differences in access, but also among persons with formal Internet. After reviewing data on penetration, describe five dimensions equipment, autonomy use, skill, social support, purposes for technology...

Research on digital inequality tends to collapse people above a certain age into one “older adults” category, seemingly assuming that this is homogeneous group when it comes internet uses. Drawing national survey data of adults in the United States, article examines online skills and behaviour group. Findings reveal diversity among older Those with higher education income have higher-level Web-use skills. While those socioeconomic status are also more likely use for diverse types activities...

There is a dearth of survey instruments for measuring Internet skills. This article presents results from additional implementations previously-developed index measure. It considers the performance original instrument over time as well shortened versions it on two surveys different populations. Drawing analyses five data sets, makes recommendations various length items people’s web-use

A recent draft manuscript suggested that Facebook use might be related to lower academic achievement in college and graduate school (Karpinski, 2009). The report quickly became a media sensation was picked up by hundreds of news outlets matter days. However, the results were based on correlational data had not been published, or even considered for publication. This paper attempts replicate reported press release using three sets: one with large sample undergraduate students from University...

While big data offer exciting opportunities to address questions about social behavior, studies must not abandon traditionally important considerations of science research such as representativeness and sampling biases. Many rely on traces people’s behavior media platforms opinions expressed through Twitter posts. How representative are data? Whose voices most likely show up sites? Analyzing survey a national sample American adults’ network site usage, this article examines what user...

This article discusses methodological challenges of using big data that rely on specific sites and services as their sampling frames, focusing social network in particular. It draws survey to show people do not select into the use such randomly. Instead, is biased certain ways yielding samples limit generalizability findings. Results age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, online experiences, Internet skills all influence thus where traces behavior up. has implications for types...

Despite the egalitarian rhetoric surrounding online cultural production, profound gender inequalities remain in who contributes to one of most visited Web sites worldwide, Wikipedia. In analyzing this persistent disparity, previous research has focused on aspects current contributors and existing Wikipedia community. We draw unique panel survey data young adults with information about both non-contributors. examine role people's background attributes Internet skills participation site. find...