Digital divides and youth cultural participation in rural contexts in Ecuador
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20251913Keywords:
digital divide, digital cultural capital, symbolic exclusion, Ecuadorian youthAbstract
This article examined digital gaps and their impact on the cultural exclusion of Ecuadorian youth aged 20 to 24 in Zone 5, composed of the provinces of Guayas, Los Ríos, Bolívar, Santa Elena, and Galápagos. Using a quasi-experimental design and a quantitative approach, data were collected and compared between two groups differentiated by their level of connectivity and pedagogical mediation. The sample consisted of 400 young people, equally distributed between both groups. A structured questionnaire was applied to assess dimensions such as digital cultural capital, participation in online cultural practices, use of platforms, and barriers to cultural digital appropriation. The results showed that the group with stable connectivity and training in digital skills presented higher levels of technological self-efficacy, participation in digital cultural communities, and production of symbolic content. In contrast, the other group exhibited limitations in both access (unstable mobile connections and basic devices) and the ability to leverage cultural opportunities in the digital environment. Statistical tests revealed significant differences between the groups in all measured dimensions (p < 0.01), with moderate to high effect sizes. It was concluded that digital exclusion among youth is not only technical but also symbolic, cultural, and educational. Furthermore, it was proposed that public policies should incorporate critical training, territorial support, and cultural inclusion, moving beyond a merely infrastructural paradigm.
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