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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine urban university students’ post-pandemic experiences with the digital divide, focusing on Motivational, Physical, Skills, and Usage Access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) based on van Dijk’s resources and appropriation theory. The study revealed students’ positive perceptions of their digital divide experiences. Intrinsic Motivational Access (IMA) scored particularly high, indicating a strong internal drive to engage with ICTs, while Physical Access (PA) showed discrepancies in access to specialized tools like programming software. Students displayed high competency in Operational, Informational, and Strategic Skills Access, with significant correlations between Physical and Operational Skills Access. Usage Access, both general and academic, was highly rated, reflecting the deep integration of ICTs in their lives. Differences in ICT access and utilization were examined based on age, income, gender, race, ethnicity, grade level, and housing status, with some demographic patterns observed, although not all differences reached statistical significance. Overall, the study highlights the need to enhance access and skills to narrow the digital divide and underscores ICTs’ critical role in improving educational outcomes and personal efficiency in the digital age. Importantly, the findings challenge the strict linearity of van Dijk’s Resources and Appropriation Theory, suggesting a more cyclical pattern of digital access in which advanced ICT use may generate new Physical Access needs.

First Page

120

Last Page

139

Ethics Approval

Yes

Declaration Statement

Data Availability Statement
The data are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Funding Statement
This research received no external funding.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure
The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Participation Consent Statement
Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to participation. An information and consent statement was presented on the first page of the survey, outlining the purpose of the study, participation requirements, estimated time to complete the survey, and the right to withdraw at any time. Participation was voluntary, anonymous, and no monetary or other incentives were provided.

Permission to Reproduce Materials from Other Sources
N/A.

Clinical Trial Registration
N/A.

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