Investigating the effects of demographic differences on digital inequalities in the context of digital antropology

Digital inequality is used to describe the differences in individuals' access, use and benefit from digital technologies. In this study, it is aimed to examine the effects of demographic differences on digital inequality and what it means to be included or not in the culture created by information and communication technologies. In this context, the relationship between digital inequality and digital culture is discussed from a digital anthropological perspective. The research universe consists of the individuals over 18 living in Sakarya province. Quantitative method was employed on 504 people selected by unbiased sampling technique and qualitative research was conducted on 8 people who could provide detailed information on the subject. Data were obtained with the questionnaire and the semi-structured interview technique. A semi-structured interview was applied to 8 participants who were considered to be able to provide detailed information on the subject. In the survey study, statements were directed towards measuring the access and benefit level of the participants. The usage dimension, on the other hand, was handled with questions in accordance with the Likert technique prepared by the researcher according to the digital citizenship sub-dimensions developed by Mike Ribble. As a result, the participants' level of access to digital technologies is quite high. The level of usage was determined in terms of demographic variables, especially according to the age factor. It has been observed that the level of satisfaction increases as the level of education increases and age decreases at the level of obtaining benefits. According to the results obtained in the qualitative research, using digital technologies activates those involved in this culture, makes their lives easier and enables them to be included in the popular issues. In the semi-structured interviews, on the other hand, the findings pertaining to the changes caused by digital inequalities on the digital culture were obtained. Finally, it was concluded that the participants thought of the activities in the new media as an action that they had to do themselves.