Use of the internet and technological equipment among high school students in the interior of Pará state

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.5585725160499

• Palavras-chave: Information and Communication Technologies, High School, Digital Inclusion, Education.

• Keywords: Information and Communication Technologies, High School, Digital Inclusion, Education.

• Abstract:

  The inclusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in contemporary society has transformed social dynamics and educational processes. Given this scenario, it is important to investigate the impact of these technologies among high school students. This study seeks to analyze the use of the internet and technological equipment by high school students in a city in the interior of Pará, considering the socio-educational implications in contexts of socio-economic vulnerability and digital exclusion. This is a quantitative, descriptive and analytical study carried out with 378 students from public and private schools in the southeastern region of Pará. The data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 22) and included descriptive statistics and association tests (Pearson's chi-square), with a significance level of 5%. The sample was predominantly female (95.5%), with brown students (63.2%) and an average age of 18.2 years. Family income of up to one minimum wage (55.8%) highlights the socio-economic barriers to technological access. The Internet (62.7%) was the most valued resource, followed by computers (19.6%). Statistical differences (p=0.004 and p=0.007) show that younger students depend more on family support, while older students show autonomy. The conclusion is that there are challenges to equal access to ICT, with the family environment being the main digital support. Educational strategies must be adapted to age and contextual differences in order to promote technological inclusion.