Determinants of the Digital Divide: Evidence from France

Mathilde Aubouin

Annals of Economics and Statistics, 2023, issue 151, 37-80

Abstract: The COVID-19 crisis accelerated the digital transition and reinforced the existing digital divide. This paper aims to identify the determinants of internet inequalities in access, usage, and type of usage in France and the reasons behind the lack of access to the internet. Using French Institute of Statistics (INSEE) surveys between 2007 and 2019 and pseudo-panel methodology, we show that generation, education, and income are significant determinants of the probability of having an internet access and to use it. However, disparities in the type of internet use are less pronounced. The fight against the digital divide in France must therefore be directed at facilitating access to an Internet connection. The two main barriers are the lack of skills and the cost of internet access. Hence, we recommend investing in digital education and providing financial support to bridge the digital divide.

Keywords: Digital Divide; Internet Use; Internet Access; Pseudo-Panel Methods; France (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L86 L96 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Related works:
Working Paper: Determinants of the Digital Divide: Evidence from France (2023)
Working Paper: Determinants of the Digital Divide: Evidence from France (2022)
Working Paper: Determinants of the Digital Divide: Evidence from France (2022)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:adr:anecst:y:2023:i:151:p:37-80

DOI: 10.2307/48744150

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