Communications of the ACM
Technology Linked to Happiness, Study Claims
People with low incomes or poor education were most influenced emotionally by their access to technology.
Credit: Think Plus
A recent Chartered Institute for IT (BCS) survey of 35,000 people worldwide found there are positive links between access to technology and feelings of well-being. Access to communication devices was found to be the most valued.
The study found that women in developing countries, and people of both sexes with low incomes or poor education, were most influenced emotionally by their access to technology. "Our hypothesis is that women in developing countries benefit more because they are more socially constrained in society," says BCS researcher Paul Flatters.
Ownership of technology is a status symbol in many cultures, says Intel researcher Kathi Kitner. Though having a computer is considered an indicator of having a good education worldwide, the emerging middle classes of India think it also is a sign of prosperity, says Kitner.
From BBC News
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