Navigating the digital divide: Gender, academic streams, and socio-economic influences on internet knowledge among undergraduates

The advent of the internet has significantly transformed the landscape of self-directed learning among students in higher education. However, disparities persist in the foundational skills required for effective internet use and computer operation among these students. To investigate the factors contributing to these variations in internet proficiency, this study titled “Navigating the Digital Divide: Gender, academic streams, and socio economic influences on internet knowledge among undergraduates” was conducted. Utilizing the Internet Knowledge Scale (IKS), developed by the researcher, alongside the Socio Economic Status Scale (SESS) developed by Rajeev Lochan Bharadwaj, a sample of 150 undergraduate students comprising both male and female participants from diverse academic disciplines and socio-economic backgrounds was analyzed. The research employed both descriptive and inferential statistical methods to draw conclusions. The findings revealed that academic streams and socio-economic status significantly influenced internet knowledge among students, while gender did not emerge as a determining factor. This underscores the need for targeted educational interventions that address these disparities, ensuring equitable access to digital literacy resources across different student demographics.