MOBILE PHONES, INTERNET, AND GENDER IN MYANMAR MOBILE PHONES, INTERNET, AND GENDER IN MYANMAR Table 8 Mobile internet literacy among qualitative respondents who used mobile data services LEVEL 1: SET-UP LEVEL 2: SEARCH AND NAVIGATE LEVEL 3: CONSUME AND EVALUATE LEVEL 4: CREATE AND SHARE LEVEL 5: CONFIGURE AND MANAGE 54 • Most either bought their phone with the relevant applications pre-installed, or sought the assistance of shop sales staff to install the application at the point of purchase. Some respondents also had applications installed by friends or family members who had more expertise. • Respondents stated they usually get help setting up their accounts from friends/ family or the shop where they bought the handset. Most respondents turn to family members of friends for help when setting up Facebook accounts (rather than asking at a shop). Some respondents said they set up their own accounts (having learned by watching others). • A few (mostly non-owners) did not have their own Facebook account and looked at content on accounts belonging to others. Most of the qualitative respondents (who used internet) used Facebook and Viber. While some respondents did search, many seemed to use it more passively and would mostly look at the news feed. Although Facebook was widely used, little use of Google was mentioned; only a few respondents (university students, for example) used Google to search for information. Most data service users in the qualitative research primarily used Facebook and Viber. Many respondents mentioned reading ‘news’ on the internet, often referring to news they had seen on their Facebook newsfeed, and did not seem aware of other news sources online. A few of the more internet-savvy respondents had installed and used news applications. Use of news applications seemed higher among men than women. A few used Google to search for information, but this was a minority. Most data service users just scroll down and read what is already in their newsfeeds; few know how to make a new post, comment on an existing one, or even ‘like’ an existing one. Some had experience with groups and forums on chat applications like Viber. Most data service users did not seem aware that privacy settings existed and did not know how to alter the settings. Many female respondents expressed concern about the risks involved in posting photos, i.e. were concerned that strangers might see their photos and misuse them, but they did not seem aware or were not confident that risks could be controlled through privacy settings. Some had experienced harassment through ‘wrong number’ calling on Viber or BeeTalk, and were able to block those callers; others dealt with the issue by stopping use of the app or even deleting it altogether. • Efforts are needed to improve the digital skills of women and men beyond basic mobile literacy, especially women who have somewhat limited opportunities to ‘learn’. - A better understanding of why women fear breaking their mobile is needed to counter these fears/misperceptions; improving digital literacy could increase women’s confidence in experimenting with their handsets. Further research is needed to understand whether a lack of local mobile phone repair businesses is part of the problem; if so, there could be an opportunity for vocational education providers. • Simplifying handset (operating system) design and increasing local language content could be considered to encourage unfamiliar users to experiment with handset features. 5.3.2 Awareness and understanding of internet terminology Those who do not own a mobile want to learn about and use the internet if/when they do have one. After researchers introduced respondents to internet usage possibilities beyond Facebook, they wanted to get information on health, cooking, nutrition, weather, news about politics and the economy, employment, and any information that would help educate their children. Even those who had a smartphone but no interest in using the internet initially became curious. The same is true for smartphone owners whose usage was limited to Facebook, Viber, and gaming because they did not know the internet was so versatile and diverse. Qualitative research respondents were asked about their understanding of ‘the internet:’ “We don’t know properly, it is a communication network, you can access news from other countries, you gain knowledge because you can look at everything and verify news.” FGD rural, male owner, 30–45, working, SEC C/D “People say they get connected, use Facebook, Viber, and read news.” FGD rural, male non-owner, 18–29, working, SEC D/E 55