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Identifying and understanding digital exclusion: a mixed-methods study

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Katie Brittain

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Many of our transactions and interactions are now exclusively online; however, whilst we live in a world which is becoming ubiquitously digital, digital exclusion remains a complex societal issue. This study aimed to identify the scale and characteristics of ‘digitally excluded’ individuals in one borough in North East England and investigate factors influencing experiences of digital exclusion. A two-phase, sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used. Phase One utilised a survey which was sent to every household in the borough (N = >98,000). The surveys (N = 9181) were analysed using exploratory univariate analysis, followed by a two-staged regression model. Of those responses, 1130 individuals (12.3%) were identified as digitally excluded. Older adults with disability, no or low-level education, and residing in specific (micro) geographical areas, were at higher risk of digital exclusion. Smaller household sizes and lower income also contributed to digitally exclusion. To further enhance inclusivity, three focus groups were conducted with groups who were identified as being at higher risk of digital exclusion (N = 10). Discussions highlighted the complexities of digital exclusion and digital use across communities and within individual circumstances. Digital exclusion is multi-factored and complex. It requires regional institutions and local communities to collaborate in an integrated governance framework to improve digital inclusion.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Wilson-Menzfeld G, Erfani G, Young-Murphy L, Charlton W, De Luca H, Brittain K, Steven A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Behaviour and Information Technology

Year: 2024

Pages: epub ahead of print

Online publication date: 25/06/2024

Acceptance date: 10/06/2024

Date deposited: 08/07/2024

ISSN (print): 0144-929X

ISSN (electronic): 1362-3001

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2024.2368087

DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2024.2368087


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
NHS North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group

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