University of California - Santa Barbara

07/17/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/17/2025 11:40

To benefit from the internet, ‘not all screens are created equal’

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Science + Technology
July 17, 2025

To benefit from the internet, 'not all screens are created equal'

Keith Hamm

In modern households, access to myriad resources and services begins with a speedy and affordable broadband connection. User devices - from smartphones to desktop computers - are also essential, particularly in the context of accessing important healthcare, employment and government services.

However, "not all screens are created equal," according to Amy Gonzales, an expert in digital equityand associate communication professor at UC Santa Barbara. "Owning a large-screen device, such as a laptop or desktop computer, and using it in beneficial ways, such as looking for a job, is more valuable than simply having good internet access at home."

Gonzales's findings, coauthored by UCSB graduate student Cecily Zhang, are part of a study publishedin the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication.

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Amy Gonzales (left) and Cecily Zhang, Department of Communication

Using census data from 2021 and 2024, Gonzales and Zhang found that in-home internet access and computer and smartphone use are all generally associated with internet benefits. "However," Gonzales said, "we found that computer ownership seems to be the biggest determinant of beneficial internet use. We were surprised to see that the use of laptops and desktops was consistently the most important in shaping whether someone used the internet for healthcare, employment and government services."

Generally, home computers are associated with "more serious" uses, such as bookkeeping, job searches and accessing healthcare portals, while smartphones tend to be more effective for texting, talking, social media, entertainment and navigation. This could have implications for households that only connect to the internet via smartphone.

"In the cases of homes that had smartphones but did not have internet access, smartphones were often negatively associated with use of the internet for healthcare or government services," Gonzales said. "This is consistent with research that suggests that smartphone use may actually distract from more functional uses of the internet. We're all familiar with the frustration of having to fill out forms or navigate complicated websites on a phone."

Their research may also have ramifications at a policy level as lawmakers decide how to best fund access to technology, particularly in areas where households struggle financially. Funding programs have often focused on expanding and improving residential internet services without considering the variety of critical components, particularly subsidies for computers, Gonzales noted.

There is a reason that digital equity has long been a bipartisan issue.

"Internet access is really a holistic experience of devices, services and skills," Gonzales said. "For many, including seniors, non-native English speakers and those with little income or education, when one piece of the puzzle breaks down, it becomes difficult for them to stay in touch with doctors, teachers, employers, social workers and loved ones."

"There is a reason that digital equity has long been a bipartisan issue," she added. When residents in red states and blue states alike have problems getting internet access, it impacts regional economic growth. As we consider investments in the education, wealth and health of Americans, we need to make sure that computers are part of that equation."

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Amy Gonzales

An expert in digital communication and equity, Amy Gonzales is interested in the psychological and tangible consequences of internet-based social interactions, and her work aims to advance theoretical understanding and real-world solutions to help mitigate long-term consequences of new digital...

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About UC Santa Barbara

The University of California, Santa Barbara is a leading research institution that also provides a comprehensive liberal arts learning experience. Our academic community of faculty, students, and staff is characterized by a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that is responsive to the needs of our multicultural and global society. All of this takes place within a living and learning environment like no other, as we draw inspiration from the beauty and resources of our extraordinary location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

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