Perceptions of University Students Regarding the Digital Divide

Abstract

This article examines university student perceptions based on area of residence (urban, suburban, and rural) of the digital divide. The results show a medium effect size for the difference in means between the number of times per week urban students access the Internet compared to suburban and rural students. In addition, a medium effect size was found for the difference in means between the perceptions of the students with respect to the item that access to the library can be improved via the Internet in rural areas. Furthermore, the results indicate that there is a medium effect size for the difference in means between the perceptions of the students with regard to the item that social service applications of the Internet are crucial in rural areas. The results also show that students equally perceive the item that rural areas are being left behind with respect to the information superhighway.