Internet Skill Levels Increase, But Gaps Widen

• In Event: Digital Skills Divide

Abstract

We investigated how (1) the levels of operational, formal, information, and strategic internet skills changed between 2010 and 2013, and how (2) the observed skill patterns differ across gender, age, and education. All internet skills are measured among representative samples of the Dutch population in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. The levels of operational and formal internet skills increased most. Information internet skill remained more or less consistent, and strategic internet skills revealed a very small increase. As age increases, internet skill levels decrease. Information internet skills only increased for people aged over 65. The skills gap between the higher educated on the one hand, and lower and middle educated on the other hand increased, while the gap between low and middle educated decreased. We expect that a particular share of inequality concerning information and strategic internet skills will remain and that these inequalities are long lasting.

Authors

• Alexander van Deursen, U of Twente / GW / CW

• Jan A. G. M. Van Dijk, U of Twente