Online social connections and internet use among people with intellectual disabilities in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic

Caton, S., Hatton, C., Gilloooly, A., Oloidi, E., Clarke, L., Bradshaw, J., Flynn, S., Taggart, L., Mulhall, P., Jahoda, A., and others. (2022) Online social connections and internet use among people with intellectual disabilities in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic. New Media and Society, . ISSN 1461-4448. E-ISSN 1461-7315. (doi:10.1177/14614448221093762) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:93782)

Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448221093762

Abstract

Having a disability, in particular an intellectual disability, is associated with internet non-use. This paper explores how people with intellectual disabilities used the internet across the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic. In April - May 2021, 571 adults with intellectual disabilities were interviewed. Participants most commonly used the internet for being with family and friends, social media or doing online activities with other people. People who lived with family were the most likely to use social media; people who lived with other people with intellectual disabilities were the least likely. People who self-reported as not lonely were more likely to use the internet for online activities with others and play video games with others. Social connections were identified as the best thing about the internet. Many participants chose not to identify a worst thing about internet use while others reported issues with technology, online harm, and threats to wellbeing.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1177/14614448221093762
Uncontrolled keywords:	Intellectual Disability, Covid-19, Online Social Connections, Internet Use
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
Divisions:	Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Tizard
Depositing User:	Jill Bradshaw
Date Deposited:	30 Mar 2022 12:27 UTC
Last Modified:	15 Nov 2022 12:27 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/93782 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Bradshaw, J..

Creator's ORCID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0379-8877
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