Suchergebnisse

The evolution of internet access and use in Brazil in the direction of social inclusiveness and to guarantee uses that promote individual and community development is the focus of the present paper. Previous evidence on the subject initially presented indicates the prevalence of contrasting aspects: some outstanding positive initiatives and results towards democratization of the internet, as well as the maintenance of great digital inequalities. New evidence on the evolution of internet access and use is also discussed herein, based on analyses of longitudinal data obtained from the Brazilian Census Bureau's Annual Survey (IBGE/PNAD, 2005, 2008). After describing aspects of increase in access to the internet, we focus on the evolution of different types of everyday life internet uses, particularly those that might contribute to individual and community development. How accesses and uses are gradually incorporating the less privileged sectors of the Brazilian adult population is also considered in the analyses. The results obtained reinforce the previous contrasting evidences: outstanding growth in access and in diversified uses are observed - suggesting intensive appropriation of internet technology and resources by the population - as well as the persistence of great inequalities. These circumstances indicate that the digital divide in Brazil is still a great challenge to be faced through comprehensive and long-term policies and initiatives.

ABSTRACT
The goal of this article is to offer framing for conversations about the role of measurement in informing public policy about the Internet. We review different stakeholders' approaches to measurements and associated challenges, including the activities of U.S. government agencies. We show how taxonomies of existing harms can facilitate the search for clarity along the fraught path from identifying to measuring harms. Looking forward, we identify barriers to advancing our empirical grounding of Internet infrastructure to inform policy, societal challenges that create pressure to overcome these barriers, and steps that could facilitate measurement to support policymaking.

This article begins the process of broadly evaluating the role of nongovernmental actors in regulatory markets by specifically examining environmental groups' use of the sulfur dioxide (SO2) market established by Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. This research posits that the use of nonexclusionary markets in environmental quality regulation allows interest groups a nonpareil opportunity to seek to directly affect policy outcomes. The first part of the article provides a qualitative analysis of the motives of interest groups that use incentive-based policies in an attempt to achieve their desired policy outcomes. The last section of the article uses empirical data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Allowance Tracking System to evaluate interest groups' use of market-based policies. The use of market-based mechanisms in public policies offers interest groups a new form of participation in the policy process, yet it seems that only "new" groups are willing to enter the market. Further, I find that though the participating groups may not be able to affect the relative price of allowances (as they claim they will), they nonetheless are able to reduce the absolute number of allowances available. Finally, using market-based policies to achieve their preferred outcomes may be a "rational" decision for groups in that the "return" on their investment may indeed be quite high. One aspect of pollution markets is clear: they do create an interesting new mechanism of public activism for groups that wish to protect the environment but do not want to "lobby or litigate." By purchasing pollution allowances, groups attempt to directly affect environmental policy outputs without entering the policy cycle as it has been previously understood. As market-based policies are employed more broadly, opportunities accorded to environmental groups for active involvement in seeking to limit ambient pollutants, as well as the groups' potential impact, may only expand. 2 Tables, 34 References. Adapted from the source document.

There is a lot of discussion on the effect of computers and Internet on students' academic performance but few in the context of the Indian scenario. Hence a study was conducted, of two groups of private engineering university students (345 respondents from each university). They were surveyed by administering online questionnaires, following a smaller pilot study to fine-tune the survey instrument. The main purpose of the research was to understand student behaviors related to time spent on computers and their relationship to academic performance. The data indicates that there is a correlation between academic performance and excessive use of Internet. The impact of faculty/student interaction and its relationship to academic performance needs further exploration.

This study aims to analyze psychometric properties and validity of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and, second, to determine a threshold for the CIUS which matches the IAT cut-off for detecting problematic Internet use. A total of 292 subjects with problematic or pathological gambling (237 men, 55 women) aged 14-63 years and with private Internet use for at least 1 h per working or weekend day were recruited via different recruitment channels. Results include that both scales were internally consistent (Cronbach's α = 0.9) and had satisfactory convergent validity (r = 0.75; 95% CI 0.70-0.80). The correlation with duration of private Internet use per week was significantly higher for the CIUS (r = 0.54) compared to the IAT (r = 0.40). Among all participants, 25.3% were classified as problematic Internet users based on the IAT with a cut-off ≥40. The highest proportion of congruent classified cases results from a CIUS cut-off ≥18 (sensitivity 79.7%, specificity 79.4%). However, a higher cut-off (≥21) seems to be more appropriate for prevalence estimation of problematic Internet use.

PurposeDeterminants of internet adoption in industrial purchase have rarely been paid attention in the literature. Considering this gap in the literature, the present study intends to approach the factors that determine the use of the internet as a source of information in procurement.Design/methodology/approachThis research analyzes whether different internet tools are used throughout the phases in the purchasing process and, at the same time, whether the characteristics of the buying situation determine the use of the internet in that process. The survey is based on an e‐mailed questionnaire sent to a sample of 103 Spanish firms.FindingsIn general, different uses of the internet tools are not observed in the different stages of the buying process. However, the characteristics of purchasing situations (novelty, complexity, perceived risk, time pressure and personal stake) at each buying situation make possible an explanation of the use of different internet tools throughout the different phases in purchasing.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this paper show that there are implications for practitioners related to the core hypotheses of the research. The contingency approach employed in the study makes it easier to adapt the different internet tools (web pages, intranet development or adoption of videoconference technology) to the specific characteristics of the buying situation in which they are primarily used. On the other hand, the main limitation of this research lies in the composition of the sample, so that it could be considered suitable to extend the study to different product lines and to decisions on service contracts in the near future.Originality/valueThis research analyzes whether different internet tools are used throughout the phases in the purchasing process and, at the same time, whether the characteristics of the buying situation determine the use of the internet in that process.

Objective. This article begins the process of broadly evaluating the role of nongovernmental actors in regulatory markets by specifically examining environmental groups' use of the sulfur dioxide (SO2) market established by Title IV of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. This research posits that the use of nonexclusionary markets in environmental quality regulation allows interest groups a nonpareil opportunity to seek to directly affect policy outcomes. Methods. This article uses two forms of analysis. The first part of the article provides a qualitative analysis of the motives of interest groups that use incentive‐based policies in an attempt to achieve their desired policy outcomes. The last section of the article uses empirical data from the Environmental Protection Agency's Allowance Tracking System to evaluate interest groups' use of market‐based policies. Results. The use of market‐based mechanisms in public policies offers interest groups a new form of participation in the policy process, yet it seems that only "new" groups are willing to enter the market. Further, I find that though the participating groups may not be able to affect the relative price of allowances (as they claim they will), they nonetheless are able to reduce the absolute number of allowances available. Finally, using market‐based policies to achieve their preferred outcomes may be a "rational" decision for groups in that the "return" on their investment may indeed be quite high. Conclusions. One aspect of pollution markets is clear—they do create an interesting new mechanism of public activism for groups that wish to protect the environment but do not want to "lobby or litigate." By purchasing pollution allowances groups attempt to directly affect environmental policy outputs without entering the policy cycle as it has been previously understood. As market‐based policies are employed more broadly, opportunities accorded to environmental groups for active involvement in seeking to limit ambient pollutants, as well as the groups' potential impact, may only expand.

This paper explores the development of Internet use in Latin America. The analysis explores the macro- and microsocial expectations and actualities of Internet use in Latin America. While much is assumed about Internet penetration in the region, this paper lays out actual penetration rates, and attempts to understand what has fostered Internet growth in the region. Various levels of economic, technological, and governmental development encourage the expansion of Internet penetration in the region. By looking at micro-level Internet consumption, this research employs Latin American Public Opinion Project survey data taken from multiple years and offers an initial analysis of the determinants of Internet use. Compared to other forms of news media consumption, Internet users are younger and more skeptical of domestic news media. ; Este documento analiza el desarrollo del uso de Internet en América Latina. Los análisis exploran las expectativas y realidades macro y micro sociales del uso de Internet en la región. Mientras se conjetura tanto acerca de la penetración de Internet en América Latina, este documento establece las tasas reales de penetración, e intenta comprender qué ha fomentado su crecimiento en la región. Diferentes niveles de desarrollo económico, tecnológico y gubernamental impulsan la expansión de la penetración de Internet en la región. Al observar el consumo en un nivel micro, esta investigación emplea datos de encuestas de varios años del Proyecto de Opinión Pública de América Latina (Latin American Public Opinion Project) y ofrece un análisis inicial de los factores determinantes del uso de Internet. En comparación con otras formas de consumo de medios de comunicación, los usuarios de Internet son más jóvenes y más escépticos a los medios de prensa locales. ; Este documento analisa o desenvolvimento do uso da internet na América Latina. As análises exploram as expectativas e realidades macro e microssociais do uso da internet na região. Enquanto se conjetura tanto sobre a inserção da internet na América Latina, este documento estabelece as taxas reais de sua inserção e tenta compreender o que tem fomentado o crescimento da internet na região. Diferentes níveis de desenvolvimento econômico, tecnológico e governamental impulsionam a expansão da inserção da internet na região. Ao observar o consumo da internet em um nível micro, esta pesquisa emprega dados de enquetes de vários anos do Projeto de Opinião Pública da América Latina (Latin American Public Opinion Project) e oferece uma análise inicial dos fatores determinantes do uso da internet. Em comparação com outras formas de consumo de meios de comunicação, os usuários de internet são mais jovens e mais cépticos aos meios de imprensa locais.

This paper explores the development of Internet use in Latin America. The analysis explores the macro- and microsocial expectations and actualities of Internet use in Latin America. While much is assumed about Internet penetration in the region, this paper lays out actual penetration rates, and attempts to understand what has fostered Internet growth in the region. Various levels of economic, technological, and governmental development encourage the expansion of Internet penetration in the region. By looking at micro-level Internet consumption, this research employs Latin American Public Opinion Project survey data taken from multiple years and offers an initial analysis of the determinants of Internet use. Compared to other forms of news media consumption, Internet users are younger and more skeptical of domestic news media. ; DOI:10.5294/pacla.2011.14.2.6Este documento analiza el desarrollo del uso de Internet en América Latina. Los análisis exploran las expectativas y realidades macro y micro sociales del uso de Internet en la región. Mientras se conjetura tanto acerca de la penetración de Internet en América Latina, este documento establece las tasas reales de penetración, e intenta comprender qué ha fomentado su crecimiento en la región. Diferentes niveles de desarrollo económico, tecnológico y gubernamental impulsan la expansión de la penetración de Internet en la región. Al observar el consumo en un nivel micro, esta investigación emplea datos de encuestas de varios años del Proyecto de Opinión Pública de América Latina (Latin American Public Opinion Project) y ofrece un análisis inicial de los factores determinantes del uso de Internet. En comparación con otras formas de consumo de medios de comunicación, los usuarios de Internet son más jóvenes y más escépticos a los medios de prensa locales. DOI:10.5294/pacla.2011.14.2.6 ; Este documento analisa o desenvolvimento do uso da internet na América Latina. As análises exploram as expectativas e realidades macro e microssociais do uso da internet na região. Enquanto se conjetura tanto sobre a inserção da internet na América Latina, este documento estabelece as taxas reais de sua inserção e tenta compreender o que tem fomentado o crescimento da internet na região. Diferentes níveis de desenvolvimento econômico, tecnológico e governamental impulsionam a expansão da inserção da internet na região. Ao observar o consumo da internet em um nível micro, esta pesquisa emprega dados de enquetes de vários anos do Projeto de Opinião Pública da América Latina (Latin American Public Opinion Project) e oferece uma análise inicial dos fatores determinantes do uso da internet. Em comparação com outras formas de consumo de meios de comunicação, os usuários de internet são mais jovens e mais cépticos aos meios de imprensa locais.

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Cyberchondria denotes excessive and repeated online health-related searches associated with an increase in health anxiety. Such searches persist in those with cyberchondria, despite the negative consequences, resembling a pattern of compulsive Internet use. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of the present study was to assess compulsive health-related Internet use in relation to cyberchondria while controlling for related variables. <b><i>Method:</i></b> Adult participants (<i>N</i> = 749) were recruited from an online platform. They completed questionnaires assessing the severity of cyberchondria (via the Cyberchondria Severity Scale [CSS]), compulsive Internet use adapted for online health-related seeking (via the adapted Compulsive Internet Use Scale [CIUS]), and levels of intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety, as well as depressive, somatic, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. A logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify predictors of scores above a cutoff value on the CIUS, indicating compulsive health-related Internet use. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The regression output showed that only the CSS total score and sex made a unique, statistically significant contribution to the model, leading to the correct classification of 78.6% of the cases. Of the CSS subscales, compulsion and distress were the most strongly associated with compulsive health-related Internet use. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The finding that the adapted CIUS scores are associated with cyberchondria indicates that cyberchondria has a compulsive component, at least in terms of health-related Internet use. It also suggests that compulsive health-related Internet use persists despite the distress associated with this activity. Males may engage in cyberchondria more compulsively than females. These findings have implications for research and clinical practice.

"October 20, 2000." ; "GAO-01-147R." ; A letter from Linda D. Koontz to Fred Thompson, Chairman, Commmittee on Governmental Affiairs, United States Senate and 3 enclosures. ; Caption title. ; Mode of access: Internet.

Israt Jahan,1,2 Ismail Hosen,3,4 Firoj al Mamun,3,4 Mark Mohan Kaggwa,5 Mark D Griffiths,6 Mohammed A Mamun3,4 1Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh; 2Department of Public Health and Informatics, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh; 3CHINTA Research Bangladesh, Dhaka, 1342, Bangladesh; 4Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, 1342, Bangladesh; 5Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; 6Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UKCorrespondence: Mohammed A MamunCHINTA Research Bangladesh, Savar, Dhaka, 1342, BangladeshTel +88-1738592653Email mamunphi46@gmail.comBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic-related "stay-at-home†and confinement orders has led individuals to be more engaged with technology use (eg, internet use). For a minority of individuals, excessive use can become problematic and addictive. However, the investigation of problematic internet use in the COVID-19 context is only just emerging. Therefore, the present study investigated the changes in internet use behaviors and addiction rates in comparison with prior Bangladeshi studies.Methods: An online cross-sectional study was carried out among a total of 601 Bangladeshi students between October 7 and November 2, 2020. The survey included questions relating to socio-demographic, behavioral health, online use behaviors, and psychopathological variables.Results: A quarter of the participants (26%) reported having low levels of internet addiction, whereas 58.6% were classed as having moderate internet addiction and 13% severe internet addiction. A total of 4% of the sample were classed as being at risk of severe internet dependency (ie, scoring over ≥ 80 on IAT). Risk factors for internet addiction included smartphone addiction, Facebook addiction, depression, and anxiety. However, the final hierarchical regression model comprising all variables explained a total of 70.6% variance of problematic internet use.Conclusion: Based on the present findings, it is concluded that individuals are at elevated risk of problematic internet use like other psychological impacts that have been reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, risk-reducing measures and healthy control use strategies should be implemented for vulnerable individuals.Keywords: COVID-19 and internet addiction, problematic internet use, online use behaviors, smartphone and Facebook addiction, depression, anxiety, Bangladeshi students