Development tendency of double-layer digital divide in mainland China: A longitudinal study based on perspective of group segmentation

Abstract

This research makes a longitudinal analysis of a development tendency of a double-layer digital divide (access and usage) in mainland China by using data from CGSS (Chinese General Social Survey) over the period of 2005 to 2015. Results indicate that the double-layer digital divide is narrowed in mainland China from 2005 to 2015 overall, while varies among different groups. Firstly, the access gap between the western region and others in China is further widened. Secondly, although there is still a significant double-layer digital divide between male and female, the probability gap of accessing the Internet between them is gradually declining. Thirdly, communist party members have higher probability of accessing the Internet compared with those non-communist, while there is no significant difference on the usage of the Internet between communist members and non-communist. Finally, the double-layer digital divide between the young and the elderly shows the opposite tendency. As time goes by, digital divide among the young with different characteristics tends to be narrowed, while that among the elderly tends to be widened. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.