The study presents an empirical research carried out among Hungarian young internet users, focusing on digital inequalities. Since earlier researches with similar focus have shown important cognitive-cultural differences in the use of the new technologies, the empirical research was amended with two integrating concepts - lifestyle and knowledge styles (cognitive styles). As a result of the erosion of traditional social stratification structures, the diversification of life patterns and of lifestyles, it is presumable that differences in youth's use of technology can be captured to a smaller degree through traditional models, and to a greater degree through models supplemented with lifestyle and cognitive style.
The study overviews the latest empirical and theoretical approaches and research agenda concerning digital inequalities and the social implications of new communication technologies. The author focuses on the complex model of digital inequality, arguing that new communication technologies should be viewed as common goods, and not just as consumables. In the last chapter the author proposes to complement the research of new communication technologies with integrating cultural-cognitive concepts of lifestyle and knowledge style (cognitive style).
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