The Intergenerational Digital Divide in Russia

Abstract

The differences between generations in the use of digital technologies are of particular importance in light of the problem of an aging population, an increase in life expectancy, and the search for ways to encourage the older generation to have an active social life. The current study focuses on the use of the Internet in Russia. It aims to identify the differences in the access and use of the Internet by different generations. I identify three levels of the digital divide: the first level is access to the Internet, the second is the use of the Internet, and the third is the benefits of using the Internet. Empirically the study draws on the data from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey–HSE University (RLMS-HSE). The analysis (1) reveals which gadgets enabling Internet access are particularly widespread in different generations; (2) traces how the intergenerational divide in the use of the Internet evolved from 2012 to 2019; (3) investigates the divide using the time-distance method. The findings reveal differences in the access and use of the Internet between generations, in terms of the ownership of digital gadgets and in terms of the purposes of using the Internet. They also substantiate the conclusion that it is necessary to consider the generation in Internet access and use in order to include the deprived generation in the digital environment. I also confirm an increase in the use of the Internet across all generations and that all generations benefit from it. The third-level digital divide is a promising area for further research.