The Rural-Urban Digital Divide

Abstract

This study used national survey data to determine whether the “digital divide” between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan populations was widening. The findings showed that one's income, age, and education were more closely associated with the use of information technologies than was geographical location. The positive association among status indicators and technology use appeared to be strengthening over time. The study concluded that contrary to utopian predictions of the universal benefits provided by the tools of the digital revolution, innovative uses of information technologies are likely to remain closely associated with social indicators.