Determinants of Internet use in Spain

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of a variety of socio-economic, demographic and regional factors to explain Internet use and the frequency of use by individuals in Spain. We have employed binomial and ordered probit models with a Heckman's two-stage estimation procedure. This allows us to distinguish between different variables and explain both use and the intensity of use, respectively. Internet use is mainly associated with education, age, occupation, employment in service sector, nationality, urban areas and regional GDP per capita. In contrast, frequency of Internet usage is positively related to broadband connection, education, Internet skills, the ways through which Internet skills are acquired, gender, and population size. Knowledge of differences in the determinants of Internet use and its extent of use may help to specify the most suitable policies for each case.

Keywords:

• Internet
• digital divide
• Spain
• Moulton

JEL Classification :

• O33
• O18
• R210

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Professor Jaume Garcia, Eva Medina, Salvador Ortiz and Javier Hualde for their helpful comments. The authors acknowledge the helpful comments from two anonymous referees.

Notes

The model still relies on a normality assumption for the error term and functional form assumptions.

The frequency of use (T _i ) refers to: daily frequency when the individual uses Internet at least 5 days per week; weekly when Internet is used at least once a week, but not every day; monthly when Internet is used at least once a month but not every week.

For a general analysis of this problem, see Moulton (1990).

The categories shown are not exclusive: an individual may acquire Internet skills through different channels.

For further information regarding the convenience of choosing the share of individuals taking the value 1 as cutting point (Internet users), see Greene (2008).

According to the UN-E government readiness, Arevalo, Fernández, and Messía de la Cerda (2006) show that in 2004 within the EU-25 ranking, Spain was ranked 23.

In PISA reports (OECD 2000, 2003, 2006), Spain is usually placed in the last positions regarding students’ acquisition of different skills.