Access to new information and communication technologies among homeless people in Madrid (Spain)

Abstract

The article analyzes access to various information and communication technologies – ICTs-(mobile phone, computer, Internet, e-mail and social network site) among a representative sample of homeless people in Madrid. The information was collected using a structured interview. The results show that new ICTs are used to some extent among homeless people in Madrid, although at much lower percentages than the general population in Spain. We observed a relatively widespread use of mobile phones, a medium-low level use of the Internet, computer and e-mail, and hardly any use of social networks, with significant differences according to the interviewees' age, level of education and Spanish or foreign nationality. The digital divide has an especially negative effect on elderly homeless people, those with lower levels of education and those of Spanish origin.