Internet skills, digital engagement, and outcomes among urban youth in Jakarta, Indonesia: incorporating a Global South context in measuring digital inequality

This article examines internet skills, digital engagement, and digital outcomes among urban youth in Jakarta, Indonesia, thereby addressing the underexplored issue of digital inequality in the Global South. We tested and modified digital inequality scales initially developed in the Global North through cognitive interviews and confirmatory factor analyses. The internet skills scale exhibited a reasonable model fit. The modified digital engagement and outcomes scales demonstrate significantly better model fit than their initial counterparts. Among 1,250 surveyed individuals aged 16–30 in Jakarta, we discovered that, despite being labeled as digital natives, many young people possess only moderate internet skills, limited digital engagement, and average digital outcomes. Furthermore, we investigate the intricate relationships between socioeconomic backgrounds and digital inequalities. We identified stratification in skills, engagement, and outcomes, which were affected by education level and, to a lesser degree, perceived social class and quality of internet access. With the modified versions of the digital engagement and outcomes scales, we aim to develop more inclusive measurement tools that can be utilized across various countries. The modified digital engagement and outcomes scales might still exhibit Western bias and overlook the significance of social priorities common among youth in the Global South. Tackling digital inequality may require providing underprivileged youth with training in internet skills and optimizing internet usage through formal and informal education.