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First Time-Users of the Mobile Internet in the Global South

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Gender, Internet Use, and Covid-19 in the Global South

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Economics ((BRIEFSECONOMICS))

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Abstract

First-time users of the mobile Internet have not received much attention in studies of the adoption and diffusion of the technology in the Global South. This would not much matter if such users comprised only a small fraction of the total number or if they behaved in a similar way to other users in the region.

The evidence provided, however, suggests that neither of these alternatives carry much weight. For, not only do very large numbers of persons use the mobile Internet for the first time in any given year, but they also undergo a very different learning process from those who have used the technology for a longer period of time. In short, those in the former category tend to suffer from a relative paucity of digital skills, that results in a narrow choice of Internet uses, based heavily on entertainment rather than development.

In the concluding policy section, I emphasize that an important tool for imparting skills to first-time users involves one-on-one-contact with mobile agents or street vendors. Two cases are cited in which this form of contact appears to have a marked, positive impact.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    ‘There is substantial geographic variation in how many weeks of school children missed due to the pandemic. In Africa and the Arab countries, the enrollment weighted average is 29 weeks missed. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the average is 51 weeks missed.’ (Sievertsen 2021, n.p.).

  2. 2.

    Though it may seem a bit confusing, latecomer adopters can also be first-time users of the Internet. Or, put otherwise, someone who adopts the technology after others is a latecomer, but also a first-time user from her own point of view. In fact, in some cases, adopters require to be late in order to be first-time users.

  3. 3.

    Indeed, social network effects are firmly embedded in the literature on diffusion of new technologies (Choi et al. 2010).

  4. 4.

    In extreme form, for example, this would be the case if adopters were entirely lacking in even the most basic skills.

  5. 5.

    Even in developed countries, ‘Research’ has found socioeconomic differences in frequency and breadth of actions that require greater involvement and technological skills, such as content creation and educational, economic, or political Internet activities, even among young people. Those with lower levels of education and income tend to engage in less skillful activities’ (Correa 2015, p. 2).

  6. 6.

    Most of the literature on appropriate technology took place in the nineteen seventies and eighties and was mostly devoted to the question of the optimal factor intensity of available techniques in the Global South (e.g. Schumacher 1973).

  7. 7.

    According to UNICEF, ‘The under-representation of girls and women in STEM is deeply rooted in unequal gender norms that tell us that girls are not cut out for subjects that require problem solving and an inquisitive mind. Girls deserve to access an education that prepares them for the jobs of the future and to be ready and equipped to participate in the jobs of the future. To give all girls opportunities to learn, achieve and excel in science, technology, and in engineering solutions, we need to reimagine education systems where gender-responsive STEM learning happens in every classroom’ (UNICEF 2020).

  8. 8.

    I am referring here to the lack of propinquity in these areas between those first-time users who experience problems with mobile Internet use and those who have the ability to help them (as noted in the text).

  9. 9.

    On the other hand, this is the group that stands to gain most if this problem with digital skills can be overcome.

  10. 10.

    Though on a few occasions I have referred to first-time users in the Global North.

  11. 11.

    What data are available for Sub-Saharan Africa are contained in James (2021).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Jeffrey James

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  1. Jeffrey James
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James, J. (2022). First Time-Users of the Mobile Internet in the Global South. In: Gender, Internet Use, and Covid-19 in the Global South. SpringerBriefs in Economics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15576-5_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15576-5_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-15575-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-15576-5

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