Determinants of internet use by school-age children: Mexico's digital divide

The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the deep digital divide in Mexico and the enormous challenge faced by its education system in continuing to educate the country's students while under confinement. This article examines the determinants of internet access, use and productive uses for school-age children in households of different socioeconomic levels. The research shows that children's internet access and usage patterns depend on the level of schooling, economic status, digital skills, and place of residence, as well as the presence of electronic devices and infomediaries in the household. These findings suggest the urgent need to redesign the current information and communication technology (ICT) policy with a long-term integrated vision that guarantees access to ICTs and their productive use for students immersed in a digital ecosystem of educational innovation.