This document summarizes a research project on digital inclusion and participation. The project aims to understand user access and use of digital media, promote comparative research and education, and provide insights to industries and policymakers. It examines topics like media use, gender differences, how immigrants use technology, and the importance of public access. Preliminary results show life trajectories are strongly influenced by gender, with women having less education and technical expertise but interest in digital media. Mobile phones are particularly important for older women due to lower barriers. Public access spaces are also vital for older women due to issues of time and support.

1. Carla Ganito
Catholic University of
Portugal | CIMJ

2. Aims

3. Scope
 The
Digital
inclusion
and
participation
project
 To
understand
the
conditions
and
tendencies
for
access
and
use/appropriation
by
users
of
digital
media;
 To
promote
comparative
research
and
advanced
education
in
the
digital
media;
 To
provide
the
digital
industries,
policy
decision-­‐makers,
and
social
agents
(e.g.
teachers)
with
insights
on
practices
and
understandings
of
users
(and
non-­‐users)
of
digital
media;
 To
disseminate
recommendations
and
contribute
to
the
public
debate
about
digital
inclusion.

4. Scope
Research
Topics
 Media
Use;
 Gender
differences;
 How
immigrants
use
digital
media;
 Digital
inclusion
and
social
inclusion;
 Importance
and
use
of
public
access
and
training.

5. Qualitative
Data

6. Interview
Process

7. Data
–
Gender
Analysis

8. Method

9. Marc-­‐Henry
Soulet
Method

10. Marc-­‐Henry
Soulet
Method

11. Preliminary
Results
 Life
trajectories
that
are
very
marked
by
gender
constraints
 Education
options;
 Access
to
technology;
 Time;
 Spaces

12. Preliminary
Results
 Women
tend
to
be
the
individuals
with
the
lowest
level
of
formal
education
and
technical
expertise
but
nevertheless
show
interest
in
digital
uses
and
foster
those
uses
in
the
younger
generation;

13. Preliminary
Results
 Mobile
Phones
are
particularly
important
for
older
women:
 Lower
access
barriers;
 Lower
skills
requirements;
 Immediate
perception
of
added
value
–
talk
to
family
and
friends
–
feel
safe
-­‐
empowerment

14. Preliminary
Results
 Public
access
spaces
to
the
Internet
are
also
very
important
for
older
women:
 Time;
 Support;

15. To
know
more…
 http://digital_inclusion.up.pt
 carla.ganito@gmail.com