Changes in Italy's education-related digital divide

Abstract

This article examines differences in home computer and internet access among Italian households between 2005 and 2016. The results indicate that while computer and internet penetration has increased across all educational levels and geographical areas, digital inequalities related to education still persist and are substantial, especially in the South. Additionally, the findings suggest that the digital gap at the bottom of the education distribution is widening over time. Access among households whose reference person has primary education or less lags behind that of households with lower secondary education. Policy measures to promote and support the adoption of digital technologies among the most educationally disadvantaged households may need to be strengthened.