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The Emerging Mobile Internet Underclass: A Critique of Mobile Internet Access

Publication ,  Journal Article
Napoli, PM; Obar, JA
Published in: Information Society
October 20, 2014

This article provides a critical comparative analysis of mobile versus personal computer (PC)-based forms of Internet access. Drawing from an interdisciplinary body of literature, it illustrates a wide range of ways in which mobile Internet access offers lower levels of functionality and content availability; operates on less open and flexible platforms; and contributes to diminished levels of user engagement, content creation, and information seeking. At a time when a growing proportion of the online population is “mobile only,” these disparities have created what is termed here a mobile Internet underclass. The implications of this argument for digital divide policymaking and, more broadly, for the evolutionary trajectory of the Internet and the dynamics of Internet usage are discussed.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Information Society

DOI

EISSN

1087-6537

ISSN

0197-2243

Publication Date

October 20, 2014

Volume

30

Issue

5

Start / End Page

323 / 334

Related Subject Headings

  • Information & Library Sciences
  • 4610 Library and information studies
  • 4608 Human-centred computing
  • 3503 Business systems in context
  • 2001 Communication and Media Studies
  • 0807 Library and Information Studies
  • 0806 Information Systems
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
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Napoli, P. M., & Obar, J. A. (2014). The Emerging Mobile Internet Underclass: A Critique of Mobile Internet Access. Information Society, 30(5), 323–334. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972243.2014.944726
Napoli, P. M., and J. A. Obar. “The Emerging Mobile Internet Underclass: A Critique of Mobile Internet Access.” Information Society 30, no. 5 (October 20, 2014): 323–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972243.2014.944726.
Napoli PM, Obar JA. The Emerging Mobile Internet Underclass: A Critique of Mobile Internet Access. Information Society. 2014 Oct 20;30(5):323–34.
Napoli, P. M., and J. A. Obar. “The Emerging Mobile Internet Underclass: A Critique of Mobile Internet Access.” Information Society, vol. 30, no. 5, Oct. 2014, pp. 323–34. Scopus, doi:10.1080/01972243.2014.944726.
Napoli PM, Obar JA. The Emerging Mobile Internet Underclass: A Critique of Mobile Internet Access. Information Society. 2014 Oct 20;30(5):323–334.

Published In

Information Society

DOI

EISSN

1087-6537

ISSN

0197-2243

Publication Date

October 20, 2014

Volume

30

Issue

5

Start / End Page

323 / 334

Related Subject Headings

  • Information & Library Sciences
  • 4610 Library and information studies
  • 4608 Human-centred computing
  • 3503 Business systems in context
  • 2001 Communication and Media Studies
  • 0807 Library and Information Studies
  • 0806 Information Systems