This study explores the internet experiences of women living in rural and regional
Australia, their motives for internet uptake and use, the benefits they gain from using the
internet, the difficulties they encounter in using the internet and whether the benefits are
affected by technical factors, such as computer equipment and telecommunication
infrastructure, availability of opportunities for developing online skills, and perceptions
of the internet. Data was collected via an email snowball technique to contact women
living in rural and regional Australia, resulting in participation by 40 women from
throughout rural and regional areas.
The research drew on the literature of internet research and media uses-and-gratifications.
Although the internet is a relatively new communication technology, it has attracted a
large amount of scholarly interest. However, there has been little research into internet
use by individual populations. Women living in rural and regional areas of Australia
experience geographical and social isolation, with limited access to goods, services and
information, and could be expected, therefore, to gain significant benefits from use of the
internet. However, the potential benefits of the internet could be offset by difficulties
with internet use in rural and regional areas. A narrative approach was used to determine
the motives for internet use by women living in rural and regional Australia, the benefits
they gain from using the internet, the difficulties they encounter in using it and whether
the difficulties affect the benefits they gain from internet use.
The research findings show that, more than anything else, women living in rural and
regional Australia use the internet to build and maintain relationships, including keeping
in touch with family and friends, re-connecting with friends for the past and making new
friends online. They also use the internet to facilitate involvement in community
organisations, to contribute to social issues at the national, state and local level and to
participate in community projects and events. In addition, women living in rural and
regional Australia use the internet to undertake business and education related activities,
pursue personal interests, seek emotional support and undertake practical tasks, such as
finding and disseminating information, banking and shopping. However, the many
benefits of the internet are offset to some extent by the many frustrations encountered in
using it, particularly in regard to technical factors and developing online skills. Spam
mail and viruses also cause considerable inconvenience.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/218711 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Andrew, Monica, n/a |
| Publisher | University of Canberra. Professional Communication |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | ), Copyright Monica Andrew |
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