Digital Skills and Social Media: How Skills Relate to Frequency and Types of Facebook Use Among “Digital Natives”

• In Event: Digital Skills Divide

Abstract

Based on the idea that Internet use can be conceptualized in terms of depth (frequency) and width (differentiated) uses of the Web, this study explored how sociodemographics and digital skills were related to frequency and types of Facebook use among young adults. Using a face-to-face representative survey conducted in the three main urban areas of Chile among a sample of 18-to 29-year olds, it found that men and more educated people had higher levels of skills, confirming that “digital natives” are not a monolithic group. It also revealed that digital skills did not predict frequency of Facebook use, and lower educated people tended to use Facebook more frequently. Although these results go against the long-established digital divide research, the traditional gaps emerged when types of uses were analyzed. While more educated and skillful individuals tended to use Facebook for informational and mobilizing purposes, sociodemographic factors and skills did not make a difference in Facebook use for social purposes.

Author

• Teresa Correa, Universidad Diego Portales