Modeling Internet Use in the Global Development Context: Preliminary Findings and Future Directions

This investigation leverages Amartya Sen’s capability approach to assess the determinants of internet use across diverse global contexts, focusing on equality, education, economics, health, and governance. Utilizing data from 104 countries, the study employs both simple and multiple regression analyses to pinpoint which factors most strongly influence internet access. Findings indicate that educational factors, particularly mean years of schooling, are more predictive of internet use than economic variables. The results support a holistic view of development, where enhancing educational opportunities and infrastructure, rather than merely reducing costs, could significantly increase internet accessibility and use. The study advances the discourse in ICT4D by demonstrating the potential of a capabilities-focused approach to technology adoption.