The self-reinforcing effect of device and usage digital divides: A longitudinal panel study from China

Abstract

There is a growing body of literature on the demographic and socioeconomic distinctions between mobile-only and hybrid Internet users and how the two groups use the Internet differently. However, little is known about why people change their type of Internet access and the impact of this change. Relying on data from two waves of a nationally representative survey conducted in China, this study demonstrates that capital-enhancing Internet activities are positively correlated with the likelihood of switching from mobile-only access to hybrid access and negatively correlated with the likelihood of switching from hybrid access to mobile-only access. In addition, those who switch from mobile to hybrid access subsequently strengthen their capital-enhancing uses, thereby not only amplifying the divide between them and others who remain mobile-only but also creating a positive feedback loop. However, non-capital-enhancing uses, such as gaming, are irrelevant to changes in the type of access. It appears that mobile-only access has become a comparable substitute for computer-based Internet in terms of casual activities. However, for “serious” uses, a device divide still exists.