Patterns of and Reasons for Infrequent Internet Use: A Qualitative Exploration of Australian Youth

Abstract

While there is a popular belief that the digital generation is immersed in and adept at using digital media, recent studies point to a large variation among young people in their appropriation of digital technologies. This study examined the patterns of, and reasons for, infrequent use of digital technology among the younger generation, by conducting semi-structured interviews with 19 school-aged Australian youth. Infrequent users focused narrowly on a small number of applications and did not explore the wide range of available activities. This was mainly due to their lack of confidence and the perceived irrelevance of digital technologies to their lives. Most participants in this study had chosen a vocational path where computers and the internet were not integral to their everyday learning experience. This deterred them from improving their digital media literacy. Based on observations, I argue that it is not sufficient merely to provide access to digital media; rather, users need motivation, skills and perceived benefits in order to utilise this technology fully. In the case of school-aged youth, schoolwork as well as their peer group culture influences how they situate themselves in the digital environment that surrounds them.

Beyond Clippy's Counsel: Word Processor Feature Underuse among the Digital Generation

“…The possible determinants are listed in table 1, categorized as technology characteristics, user characteristics, and situational factors. [10], [22], [27] Competency / knowledge [18], [20], [25], [28] Self-efficacy [28], [29] Perceived usefulness [23]- [25], [28]- [30] Perceived ease of use [10], [30], [31] Attitude (emotional response) [10], [18], [24], [28], [29], [32] Motivation [9], [12], [20], [25], [28], [29] Situational factors Context of use [29], [33]- [35] The first category of determinants consists of characteristics related to the usability of features and functions of technology. Convenience is important for the fit between technology and users' lives and routines [23], and is mostly informed by the technology's accessibility [22].…”

“…Competency and knowledge with regards to the technology and its features are related to familiarity, though they threaten feature use in more direct ways [18]. Having no experience and few skills bars users from knowing about features' existence, placing infrequent users at a disadvantage [28]. The effect of knowledge and competence gaps can be mitigated by selfefficacy -the belief in own skills, rather than actual skills [22], [29] -causing users to brave the unknown tabs of a program in search of more efficient paths to their goals.…”

“…The term 'digital generation' is often used to indicate how young people have grown up among ubiquitous digital technologies. Frequently thought to be technologically competent, research is showing that while they are quick to act and have a firm grasp of medium-specific skills, younger people are not necessarily more efficient in their use of digital applications [28], [37]. They tend to take as little time as possible to get accustomed with digital interfaces and aim for fast results.…”