Digital Engagement across Socio-Economic Strata among Laundry Workers in Puducherry, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15573139Keywords:
digital inclusion, digital engagement, media access, informal economy, laundry workersAbstract
The increasing digitalization of India’s economy presents new opportunities for informal workers yet also risks deepening existing socio-economic divides. Among these underserved groups, individuals involved in the laundry business represent a significant but overlooked occupational community, particularly in regions like Puducherry, where traditional livelihoods coexist with expanding digital infrastructure. This study explores how socio-economic status influences media behaviour among laundry workers in Puducherry, intending to understand patterns of digital engagement shaped by income, education, and gender. The research is guided by the core objectives of examining how socioe-conomic parameters like gender, education, and income influence access to digital media and exploring the variations in media behavior, defined as the frequency, autonomy, and purpose of media use among laundry workers. The study employed an exploratory survey research design. Thirty-eight samples were collected across various locations in Puducherry for the study using a structured questionnaire. IBM SPSS version 25.0 was used for the Data analysis, and an ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) test was performed to identify statistically significant differences in digital engagement across socio-economic groups. The study finds a strong correlation between socio-economic status and digital engagement. More frequent and independent use of digital media is associated with the higher level of education and income. While gender disparities persist, male respondents show significantly higher media engagement. The results reflect the broader digital inequality patterns.
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