Who uses public access ICTs? With the release of the first survey working paper, Public access to ICTs: Sculpting the profile of users, the Global Impact Study offers insight into who the users of public access ICTs are. Written by George Sciadas, with input from Hil Lyons, Chris Rothschild, and Araba Sey, this working paper results from data analysis of the user surveys in Bangladesh, Brazil, Chile, Ghana, and the Philippines.
Photo courtesy of Flickr user mlibrarianus
This paper presents various characteristics of public access ICT users. While earlier research suggests that public access ICT users are young, male, and only play games, the Global Impact Study has found that a myriad of user profiles exist. Looking at a variety of variables, from gender to income and education to age, this working paper highlights the diversity found among public access ICT users.
Abstract
Based on a survey of public access ICT users in five countries, this working paper outlines some basic characteristics of users – their demographics, history of using ICTs and reasons for using public access ICTs. This preliminary analysis indicates that while a large proportion of public access ICT users are young (40% under 20 years old), male (65%), students (44%), and have at least secondary education (82%), there is a fair amount of diversity in user characteristics. The significance of public access ICTs is demonstrated in the finding that most users’ first contact with computers (50%) and the internet (62%) was in a public access venue, and even those who have access at home patronize venues for other reasons, such as better equipment, faster connections, being with friends, or having access to help from venue staff.
Download
Full report: Public access to ICTs: Sculpting the profile of users
Recommended Citation
Sciadas, G., with Lyons, H., Rothschild, C., & Sey, A. (2012). Public access to ICTs: Sculpting the profile of users. Seattle: Technology & Social Change Group, University of Washington Information School.
Keywords
public access, users, cybercafés, internet cafes, libraries, telecenters, internet, ICT, ICTD
17. January 2012 at 7:59 pm
Great report with lots of detail from the five countries, as part of the Global Impact Study. I’m glad it corroborates the findings of the Landscape Study, an earlier TASCHA study in 25 developing countries. The analysis of users of Public Access venues was published with almost identical title as a paper in the International Journal of ICT for Human Development (IJICTHD), and then as chapter in the book with results of the global study:
Users Paper:
Gomez, R., & Camacho, K. (2011). Users of ICT at Public Access Centers: Age, education, gender and income differences in users of public access to ICT in 25 developing countries, International Journal of Information and Communication Technologies for Human Development (IJICTHD), 3(1). IGI Global. http://www.igi-global.com/bookstore/article.aspx?titleid=51568
Book:
Gomez, R. (2012). Libraries, Telecentres, Cybercafes and Public Access to ICT: International Comparisons. IGI Global. (http://www.igi-global.com/bookstore/titledetails.aspx?titleid=49588)
In the Landscape Study (of PAC in 25 countries) we found the same concentration you describe of young, better educated, and low-to-middle income users; we found more slightly more gender parity than what you report, although with some country and venue differences (males tend to prefer cybercafes, which are more numerous than libraries or telecenters in all countries).
We also found that fees do not seem to be determinant in people’s choice of PAC venue (free is not necessarily preferred; other considerations are more important, such as convenience, equipment, or if friends also go there).
Something unique in the Global Impact Study, which we did not analyze in the Landscape Study, is whether users had experienced computers or the Internet for the first time in the PAC venue, and whether they had access to computers or the Internet in other places (at home, work, friends, etc). This adds valuable texture to the profile of users.
Great work, George and team!
Ricardo