Between Reproduction and Remediation, What Role Does School Play in Adressing Digital Inequalities among School- Aged Youth?

Between Reproduction and Remediation, What Role Does School Play in Adressing Digital Inequalities among School- Aged Youth?

• Simon Collin, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

• Valerie Steeves, University of Ottawa, Canada

• Jacquie Burkell, Western University, Canada

• Yannick Skelling-Desmeules, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

doi : https://dx.doi.org/10.18162/fp.2019.502

Résumé

The objective of this research is to gain a better understanding of the role of school in addressing digital inequalities among school-aged youth. We conducted secondary statistical analysis from a database involving 5436 school-aged students from grades 4 to 11 from the 10 Canadian provinces and the 3 Canadian territories. The results indicate that inequalities in access to and use of technology at school are rather trivial. However, they stand in line with digital inequalities outside of school. Social mediation offered by teachers seems to help remedy inequalities in parental mediation. We conclude that the role of school in addressing digital inequalities is mitigated.

Abstract

The objective of this research is to gain a better understanding of the role of school in addressing digital inequalities among school-aged youth. We conducted secondary statistical analysis from a database involving 5436 school-aged students from grades 4 to 11 from the 10 Canadian provinces and the 3 Canadian territories. The results indicate that inequalities in access to and use of technology at school are rather trivial. However, they stand in line with digital inequalities outside of school. Social mediation offered by teachers seems to help remedy inequalities in parental mediation. We conclude that the role of school in addressing digital inequalities is mitigated.