Digital inequality between smartphone-only and multimodal users: understanding the effects on digital government activities and extent of internet use

Purpose This paper aims to explore digital inequality in Taiwan, arguing that such inequality is not solely determined by whether an individual has internet access, but also by the bandwidth and the functionality of the devices used for that access. It examines how individuals who rely solely on smartphones for internet access may experience usage limitations in both digital government services and general internet activities, compared to those who access the internet through multiple devices. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on the 2019 digital opportunity survey in Taiwan. A quantitative approach using propensity score matching is used to compare digital government activities and overall internet usage between smartphone-only users and multimodal users. Findings Results show that smartphone-only users engage in fewer digital government activities and exhibit more limited overall internet usage compared to multimodal users. The gap is particularly pronounced in online transactions, which underscores how device type and the associated technical constraints can significantly hinder certain digital activities and contribute to inequality. Research limitations/implications Given that the data are cross-sectional and specific to Taiwan, broader generalizability may be limited. Further research involving longitudinal data and diverse national contexts is recommended to validate and expand upon these findings. Some measurement improvements, such as collecting more detailed information on the proportion of time spent using different devices, would also be beneficial to offer deeper insights into this topic. Practical implications These findings inform policymakers of the need for nuanced strategies to address the multifaceted nature of digital inequality. The pursuit of universal internet access may not be enough to solve digital inequality issues; rather, it is crucial to consider device-specific functionalities to fully address some of the underlying disparities. Originality/value This paper underscores the multidimensionality of digital inequality, demonstrating that digital divide issues persist even in countries with high internet penetration rates. Moreover, the research finds that digital inequality is more likely to be transformed and persist rather than being completely eliminated, offering novel insights into device-specific usage patterns across different online activities.