This chapter summarizes the findings of previous chapters and, for completeness, also draws on significant findings from prior studies in search of patterns of use and impact that apply across countries and inform public access policy. Three themes emerge.First, public access enables most users to achieve personal objectives such as learning, communicating with family and friends, enhancing work skills and job prospects (Rwanda), and entertaining themselves (China). Not all impacts are positive: overuse can adversely affect school performance (Cameroon) and personal life spheres (China).Second, public access enables users to expand their social networks and build up social capital (Malaysia, Jordan), facilitates social inclusion (Argentina), and makes it easier for rural grassroots organizations to develop specific capacities, such as interacting with external agents (Peru).Third, although women and underprivileged groups can benefit significantly, their access to the most ubiquitous type of venue, cybercafes, is frequently limited, in some countries severely. This major obstacle must be overcome if public access benefits are to be widespread and equitable.The chapter ends with a discussion of policy design considerations regarding mobiles and public access, information and communication technology (ICT) skills training, telecenter establishment, cybercafe regulation, and options for redressing cybercafe gender imbalance.

This article summarizes the findings of a study investigating the impacts of public access to information and communication technologies (ICTs). The research was conducted in seven low- and medium-income countries employing a range of survey, ethnographic, and experimental research approaches. The analysis revealed substantial first-order effects in terms of technology access, information access, and ICT skills development. Second-order effects in domains such as health, education, employment, and income varied considerably, although when public access users had a need in any of these areas, they were generally successful in achieving their goals. The study also found benefits among non-users, a group that includes former users, a largely unexplored dimension of public access.

This article summarizes the findings of a five-year study investigating the impacts of public access to information and communication technologies (ICTs). The research was conducted in eight low and medium income countries employing a range of survey, ethnographic, and experimental research approaches. The analysis revealed substantial first-order effects in terms of technology access, information access and ICT skills development. Second-order effects in domains such as health, education, employment and income varied considerably, though when public access users had a need in any of these areas they were generally successful in achieving their goals. The study also found significant impacts among non-users, a group that includes former users, a largely unexplored dimension of public access. These findings challenge a commonly held notion that public access is solely a stepping stone to private access.

This content is distributed under an Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike license. The views, opinions, and findings expressed by the authors of this document do not necessarily state or reflect those of TASCHA, the University of Washington, or the research sponsors. School explores the design, use, and effects of information and communication technologies in communities facing social and economic challenges. With experience in 50 countries, TASCHA brings together a multidisciplinary network of social scientists, engineers, and development practitioners to conduct research, advance knowledge, create public resources, and improve policy and program design. Our purpose? To spark innovation and opportunities for those who need it most. The Global Impact Study of Public Access to Information & Communication Technologies is a five-year project (2007-2012) to generate evidence about the scale, character, and impacts of public access to information and communication technologies. Looking at libraries, telecenters, and cybercafes, the study investigates impact in a number of areas, including communication and leisure, culture and language, education, employment and income, governance, and health. Universitat Pompeu Fabra, which aims to deepen the capacity of emerging scholars with the goal of increasing the quality and quantity of research on public access to ICT produced in developing countries. ABSTRACT Based on a survey of public access ICT users in five countries, this working paper outlines some basic characteristics of users – their demographics, history of using ICTs and reasons for using public access ICTs. This preliminary analysis indicates that while a large proportion of public access ICT users are young (40% under 20 years old), male (65%), students (44%), and have at least secondary education (82%), there is a fair amount of diversity in user characteristics. The significance of public access ICTs is demonstrated in the finding that most users' first contact with computers (50%) and the internet (62%) was in a public access venue, and even those who have access at home patronize venues for other reasons, such as better equipment, faster connections, being with friends, or having access to help from venue staff.

The Global Impact Study was implemented by the University of Washington's Technology & Social Change Group with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and a grant to IDRC from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.