Females’ Usage Patterns of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the Vhembe District, South Africa
This paper explores and provides substantiated
evidence on the usage patterns of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) by female users at Vhembe District in Limpopo-
Province, South Africa. The study presents a comprehensive picture
on the usage of ICTs from female users’ perspective. The
significance of this study stems from the need to assess the role,
relevance and usage patterns of ICTs such as smartphones,
computers, laptops, and iPods, the internet and social networking
sites among females following the developments of new media
technologies in society. The objective of the study is to investigate
the usability and accessibility of ICTs to empower female users in
South Africa. The study used quantitative and qualitative research
methods to determine the major ideas, perceptions and usage patterns
of ICTs by users. Data collection involved the use of structured selfadministered
questionnaire from two groups of respondents who
participated in this study. Thus, (n=50) female students at the
University of Venda provided their ideas and perceptions about the
usefulness and usage patterns of ICTs such as smartphones, the
Internet and computers at the university level, whereas, the second
group were (n=50) learners from Makhado Comprehensive School
who provided their perceptions and ideas about the use of ICTs at the
high school level. The researcher also noted that the findings of the
study were useful as a guideline and model for ICT intervention that
could work as an empowerment to women in South Africa. It was
observed that the central purpose of ICTs among female users was to
search for information regarding assignment writing, conducting
research, dating, exchanging ideas and networking with friends and
relatives. This was demonstrated by a high number of females who
used ICTs for e-learning (62%) and social purposes (85%).
Therefore, the study revealed that most females used ICTs for social
purposes and accessing the internet rather than for entertainment, a
gesture that provides an opportune space to empower rural women in
South Africa.
[1] D. Boyd, “Why youth (heart) social network sites: The role of
networked publics in teenage social life. MacArthur foundation series on
digital learning youth, identity, and digital media volume”. Cambridge,
MA: MIT Press, pp. 97-98, 2007.
[2] A. Bianchi, and J. G. Phillips, “Psychological predictors of problem
mobile phone use”. Cyber Psychology & Behaviour. 8, 39-51, 2005.
[3] A. Crede, and R. Mansell, “Knowledge societies in a nutshell:
Information technologies for sustainable development”. Ottawa,
Canada: IDRC, 1998.
[4] I. O. Edogor, A. A. Jonah, and L.I. Ojo, “Influence of social media on
youths’ usage of traditional mass media in Nigeria”. New Media and
Mass Communication, Vol.31, pp. 55-56, 2014.
[5] K. Dennis, “Technologies of civil society: Communication, participation
and mobilization”, innovation, 20(1), 19-34, 2007.
[6] V. Feldmann, “Mobile overtakes fixed: Implications for policy and
regulation”, Geneva: International telecommunications union. Retrieved
May10, 2015, Paper.pdf, 2003.
[7] P. J. Fourie, Media studies: Media history, media and society. Vol (1)
Cape Town: Juta & Co, 2007.
[8] H. Geser, “Pre-teen cell phone adoption: Consequences for later patterns
of phone usage and involvement”. Sociology in Switzerland: Sociology
of the Mobile phone, 2006.
[9] L. Ginger, “Women’s use of information and communication
technologies in Mozambique: a tool for empowerment”. Maputo: MAE,
2009.
[10] J. Goodman, “Click first, ask question later: Understanding teen online
behaviour”, Aplis, 20(2), 84-86, 2007.
[11] N. Hafkin, Moving Beijing forward: gaps and challenges-gender
responsive information society. GAD/Eve, 2004.
[12] D. M. Hughes, “Globalization, information technology, and sexual
exploitation of women and children, rain and thunder: A radical feminist
journal of discussion and activism”. Issue #13, winter 2001,
[13] International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication
Development Report. Geneva: International Telecommunication Union,
2013.
[14] K. Johnson, “Telecentres and the gender dimensions: an examination of
how engendered telecentres are diffused in Africa” Unpublished MSc
thesis. George Town University: Georgetown, 2003.
[15] M. Jones, and G. Marsden, Mobile interaction design, New York: John
Wiley & Sons, 2006.
[16] R. Junco, D. Merson, and D. W. Salter, “The effect of gender, ethnicity,
and income on college students' use of communication technologies”.
Cyber psychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking. 13, 6, 619-627,
2010.
[17] E. Kartz, J. G. Blumler, and M. Gurevitch, “Utilization of mass
communication by the individual”. In J. G. Blumler, and E. Kartz, (Eds),
the uses of mass communications: current perspectives on gratifications
research, pp. 19-32, 1974. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
[18] G. Kirkman, “The global information technology report 2001-2002”.
Readiness for the networked world. Oxford University Press, 2002.
[19] T. Kreutzer, “Generation mobile: Online and digital media usage on
mobile phones among low-income Urban youth in South Africa”: Centre
for film and media studies faculty of the humanities, University of Cape
Town, February 2009.
[20] G. E. Lometti, B. Reeves, and C. Bybee, “Investigating the assumptions
of uses and gratifications research”. Communication research, 7, 127-
165, 1977.
[21] B. Lock, and J. Brown, “Social networking lifting off”, Finweek,
Johannesburg, June 2007 [22] D. McQuail, “The uses and gratifications approach: past, troubles, and
future”. Mass communicative, 2, 73-89, 1979.
[23] J. W. Payne, “Invitation to harm. The Washington Post”, F-1.
Unpublished report. July, 2006.
[24] F. L. Payton, V. Kvasny, R. Mbankin and A. Amadi, “Gendered
perspectives on the digital divide IT education and workforce”,
proceedings of the 9th international conference on social implications of
computers in developing countries. Sao Paulo, 2007.
[25] Pew Research Centre, “New media, old media: How blogs and social
media agendas relate and differ from traditional press”, analysis
report/blogosphere, 2012.
[26] A. Quan-Haase, “Instant messaging on campus: Use and integration in
University students’ everyday communication”, the information society,
24, 105-115, 2008.
[27] A. M. Rubin “Uses of daytime television soap opera by college
students”. Journal of broadcasting & electronic media, 29, 241-258,
1985.
[28] A. M. Rubin, A.M. “Media uses & effects: a uses and gratifications
perspective”: in J. Zillmann, & D. Bryant, (Eds), media effects:
advances in theory and research, London: Erlbaum. pp. 571-601, 1994.
[29] A. M. Rubin, and R. B. Rubin, “Interface of personal and mediated
communication: fifteen years later”. Electronic journal of
communication, 11(1), 2001.
[30] J. Sandars, “The use of new technology to facilitate learning through
personal networks”, world based learning in primary care, 5, 5-11,
2007.
[31] K. Subrahmanyam, and G. Lin, “Adolescents on the net: internet use and
well-being”, adolescence, 42(186), 659-677, 2007.
[32] U. C. Sharma, D. Chawla, N. A. Raman, and P. Madaan, “Internet usage
by the faculty members & the students in professional colleges at
Mathura region: An empirical study”. Int. J. Inf. Dissemination and
technology. 1 (2): 77-85, 2011.
[33] A. Stephen, Communication technologies and women’s empowerment.
New Delhi: Rajat, 2006.
[34] D. L. Swanson, “The uses and misuses of uses and gratification”.
Human communication research, 3, 214-221, 1977.
[35] J. Valadez, and R. Duran, “Reading the digital divide: beyond access to
computers and the internet”, the high school journal, 31-44, feb/mar
2007.
[36] A. S. Walker, “Celebrating 25 years of networking. Women in action,
Isisinternational-manila, 2:1999.
[37] R. Wei, and V. Lo, “Staying connected while on the move: Cell phone
use and social connectedness”. New Media Society, 8, 53-72, 2006.
[38] E. J. Wilson, “The information revolution and developing countries,
Cambridge”, MA: MIT Press, 2004.
[39] A. M. Wolfe, “Online versus traditional news sources: a student
perspective”. Elmira College, 2010.
[40] R. Wimmer, and J. Dominick, Mass media research. An introduction.
Belmont: Wadsworth, 1997.
[1] D. Boyd, “Why youth (heart) social network sites: The role of
networked publics in teenage social life. MacArthur foundation series on
digital learning youth, identity, and digital media volume”. Cambridge,
MA: MIT Press, pp. 97-98, 2007.
[2] A. Bianchi, and J. G. Phillips, “Psychological predictors of problem
mobile phone use”. Cyber Psychology & Behaviour. 8, 39-51, 2005.
[3] A. Crede, and R. Mansell, “Knowledge societies in a nutshell:
Information technologies for sustainable development”. Ottawa,
Canada: IDRC, 1998.
[4] I. O. Edogor, A. A. Jonah, and L.I. Ojo, “Influence of social media on
youths’ usage of traditional mass media in Nigeria”. New Media and
Mass Communication, Vol.31, pp. 55-56, 2014.
[5] K. Dennis, “Technologies of civil society: Communication, participation
and mobilization”, innovation, 20(1), 19-34, 2007.
[6] V. Feldmann, “Mobile overtakes fixed: Implications for policy and
regulation”, Geneva: International telecommunications union. Retrieved
May10, 2015, Paper.pdf, 2003.
[7] P. J. Fourie, Media studies: Media history, media and society. Vol (1)
Cape Town: Juta & Co, 2007.
[8] H. Geser, “Pre-teen cell phone adoption: Consequences for later patterns
of phone usage and involvement”. Sociology in Switzerland: Sociology
of the Mobile phone, 2006.
[9] L. Ginger, “Women’s use of information and communication
technologies in Mozambique: a tool for empowerment”. Maputo: MAE,
2009.
[10] J. Goodman, “Click first, ask question later: Understanding teen online
behaviour”, Aplis, 20(2), 84-86, 2007.
[11] N. Hafkin, Moving Beijing forward: gaps and challenges-gender
responsive information society. GAD/Eve, 2004.
[12] D. M. Hughes, “Globalization, information technology, and sexual
exploitation of women and children, rain and thunder: A radical feminist
journal of discussion and activism”. Issue #13, winter 2001,
[13] International Telecommunication Union, World Telecommunication
Development Report. Geneva: International Telecommunication Union,
2013.
[14] K. Johnson, “Telecentres and the gender dimensions: an examination of
how engendered telecentres are diffused in Africa” Unpublished MSc
thesis. George Town University: Georgetown, 2003.
[15] M. Jones, and G. Marsden, Mobile interaction design, New York: John
Wiley & Sons, 2006.
[16] R. Junco, D. Merson, and D. W. Salter, “The effect of gender, ethnicity,
and income on college students' use of communication technologies”.
Cyber psychology, Behaviour, and Social Networking. 13, 6, 619-627,
2010.
[17] E. Kartz, J. G. Blumler, and M. Gurevitch, “Utilization of mass
communication by the individual”. In J. G. Blumler, and E. Kartz, (Eds),
the uses of mass communications: current perspectives on gratifications
research, pp. 19-32, 1974. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
[18] G. Kirkman, “The global information technology report 2001-2002”.
Readiness for the networked world. Oxford University Press, 2002.
[19] T. Kreutzer, “Generation mobile: Online and digital media usage on
mobile phones among low-income Urban youth in South Africa”: Centre
for film and media studies faculty of the humanities, University of Cape
Town, February 2009.
[20] G. E. Lometti, B. Reeves, and C. Bybee, “Investigating the assumptions
of uses and gratifications research”. Communication research, 7, 127-
165, 1977.
[21] B. Lock, and J. Brown, “Social networking lifting off”, Finweek,
Johannesburg, June 2007 [22] D. McQuail, “The uses and gratifications approach: past, troubles, and
future”. Mass communicative, 2, 73-89, 1979.
[23] J. W. Payne, “Invitation to harm. The Washington Post”, F-1.
Unpublished report. July, 2006.
[24] F. L. Payton, V. Kvasny, R. Mbankin and A. Amadi, “Gendered
perspectives on the digital divide IT education and workforce”,
proceedings of the 9th international conference on social implications of
computers in developing countries. Sao Paulo, 2007.
[25] Pew Research Centre, “New media, old media: How blogs and social
media agendas relate and differ from traditional press”, analysis
report/blogosphere, 2012.
[26] A. Quan-Haase, “Instant messaging on campus: Use and integration in
University students’ everyday communication”, the information society,
24, 105-115, 2008.
[27] A. M. Rubin “Uses of daytime television soap opera by college
students”. Journal of broadcasting & electronic media, 29, 241-258,
1985.
[28] A. M. Rubin, A.M. “Media uses & effects: a uses and gratifications
perspective”: in J. Zillmann, & D. Bryant, (Eds), media effects:
advances in theory and research, London: Erlbaum. pp. 571-601, 1994.
[29] A. M. Rubin, and R. B. Rubin, “Interface of personal and mediated
communication: fifteen years later”. Electronic journal of
communication, 11(1), 2001.
[30] J. Sandars, “The use of new technology to facilitate learning through
personal networks”, world based learning in primary care, 5, 5-11,
2007.
[31] K. Subrahmanyam, and G. Lin, “Adolescents on the net: internet use and
well-being”, adolescence, 42(186), 659-677, 2007.
[32] U. C. Sharma, D. Chawla, N. A. Raman, and P. Madaan, “Internet usage
by the faculty members & the students in professional colleges at
Mathura region: An empirical study”. Int. J. Inf. Dissemination and
technology. 1 (2): 77-85, 2011.
[33] A. Stephen, Communication technologies and women’s empowerment.
New Delhi: Rajat, 2006.
[34] D. L. Swanson, “The uses and misuses of uses and gratification”.
Human communication research, 3, 214-221, 1977.
[35] J. Valadez, and R. Duran, “Reading the digital divide: beyond access to
computers and the internet”, the high school journal, 31-44, feb/mar
2007.
[36] A. S. Walker, “Celebrating 25 years of networking. Women in action,
Isisinternational-manila, 2:1999.
[37] R. Wei, and V. Lo, “Staying connected while on the move: Cell phone
use and social connectedness”. New Media Society, 8, 53-72, 2006.
[38] E. J. Wilson, “The information revolution and developing countries,
Cambridge”, MA: MIT Press, 2004.
[39] A. M. Wolfe, “Online versus traditional news sources: a student
perspective”. Elmira College, 2010.
[40] R. Wimmer, and J. Dominick, Mass media research. An introduction.
Belmont: Wadsworth, 1997.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:70975", author = "F. O. Maphiri-Makananise", title = "Females’ Usage Patterns of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the Vhembe District, South Africa", abstract = "This paper explores and provides substantiated
evidence on the usage patterns of Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) by female users at Vhembe District in Limpopo-
Province, South Africa. The study presents a comprehensive picture
on the usage of ICTs from female users’ perspective. The
significance of this study stems from the need to assess the role,
relevance and usage patterns of ICTs such as smartphones,
computers, laptops, and iPods, the internet and social networking
sites among females following the developments of new media
technologies in society. The objective of the study is to investigate
the usability and accessibility of ICTs to empower female users in
South Africa. The study used quantitative and qualitative research
methods to determine the major ideas, perceptions and usage patterns
of ICTs by users. Data collection involved the use of structured selfadministered
questionnaire from two groups of respondents who
participated in this study. Thus, (n=50) female students at the
University of Venda provided their ideas and perceptions about the
usefulness and usage patterns of ICTs such as smartphones, the
Internet and computers at the university level, whereas, the second
group were (n=50) learners from Makhado Comprehensive School
who provided their perceptions and ideas about the use of ICTs at the
high school level. The researcher also noted that the findings of the
study were useful as a guideline and model for ICT intervention that
could work as an empowerment to women in South Africa. It was
observed that the central purpose of ICTs among female users was to
search for information regarding assignment writing, conducting
research, dating, exchanging ideas and networking with friends and
relatives. This was demonstrated by a high number of females who
used ICTs for e-learning (62%) and social purposes (85%).
Therefore, the study revealed that most females used ICTs for social
purposes and accessing the internet rather than for entertainment, a
gesture that provides an opportune space to empower rural women in
South Africa.", keywords = "Female users, Information and Communication
Technologies, Internet, Usage patterns.", volume = "9", number = "9", pages = "3175-8", }
