Domestic Computer Usage and Activities in West Coast Malaysia: age and income differences

Abstract

In Malaysia, a number of programs and initiatives have been introduced to increase computer ownership and ensure universal access among the population. A survey among households was conducted to study the impact of ICT and computers on Malaysian society. The survey was carried out to examine the level of domestic computer usage and identify the common activities associated with computers among the households. The study found differences in terms of age and income groups towards their level of computer usage. Malaysian teenagers are heavy domestic computer users in comparison to the other age categories. As expected, the high income people are also heavy domestic computer users. Interestingly, the study has found that computers are being used domestically for personal and household purposes such as entertainment rather than enhancing the flow of information among households and business organizations.