Unequal Digitalization: The Trajectory of Online Inequalities in Brazil and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures have been adopted globally, with crucial support from digital technologies. In social policies, the health crisis accelerated transformations such as telehealth, remote learning, and the digitalization of social protection programs. Although some evidence highlights the emergency role of digital technologies, little is known about how digital inequalities were affected by the pandemic, particularly in developing countries. This paper first examines trends in digital disparities in Brazil, showing that while there has been a significant reduction in digital inequalities in basic Internet access, disparities in usage have persisted over time, remaining deeply intertwined with broader socioeconomic and structural inequalities. Based on a time-series analysis, the paper also finds that the pandemic did not significantly alter the trajectory of adoption for several online activities, indicating a continued pattern in the dynamics of digital inequality. Finally, it shows how programs aimed at alleviating poverty were not sufficient mechanisms for enabling low-income and vulnerable populations to leapfrog traditional barriers to Internet adoption in the post-pandemic scenario. By presenting a temporal analysis, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of digital inequality trends in developing countries.