Digital Divide or Digital Abyss? Indigenous University Students and the Use of Information and Communication Technologies.

This study aims to understand the implications of the digital divide in the educational trajectories of Indigenous university students. Using a biographical method and in-depth interviews, the life stories of 15 young individuals were reconstructed. The findings indicate that three main barriers widen the digital divide within this population: economic, infrastructural, and educational. These barriers manifest at two critical stages of their educational journey: during the pre-admission phase to higher education and in the first year of university studies. The study concludes that although students eventually develop proficiency in information and communication technologies (ICTs) during their university years, the lack of digital skills in the pre-university stage significantly impacts their educational trajectories. Therefore, the implementation of appropriate policies is necessary to address and mitigate this issue.