DIAL-UP INTERNET USAGE AS AN INDICATOR OF DIGITAL DIVIDE IN THE U.S. MILITARY VETERAN POPULATION

摘要

The phrase 'digital divide' denotes the concept that different sub-groups within a population may differ structurally and systematically in their use or incorporation of information technology. This study uses one of the largest ever sample sizes used for such research (～ 3 million survey cases, or 1% of the U.S. population) to examine whether a digital divide exists, in access to the internet at home, between U.S. military veterans, and non-veterans. The study finds that veterans have statistically significantly higher levels of dial-up internet usage. Dial-up usage is a negative marker of internet access. Dial-up usage had two significant antecedents: age and service era cohort. Older veterans were more likely to use dial-up, and cohorts that served just before, during, and right after the Vietnam era were found to be more likely to use dial-up than veterans who served recently.