EXPLORING GENDER DIMENSIONS IN INTERNET SELF-EFFICACY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Given the pervasiveness of the Internet and related technologies, opportunities and challenges related to their development, implementation and usage by individuals and organizations have arisen. Individuals ' beliefs in their ability to effectively utilize the Internet and perform Internet-related tasks can affect the way they use, transact and communicate in the Internet. Additionally, this Internet self-efficacy may be influenced by gender differences.Responses to two interrelated Internet self-efficacy scales (Internet Self-Efficacy scale with 39 items across seven factors and the Sources of Internet Self-Efficacy scale with 11 items comprising three factors) administered to 127 Filipinos of varying ages, educational backgrounds and work backgrounds (63 men and 64 women) were analyzed. Results indicated that, overall, there is no significant difference between men and women in almost all of the different factors associated with Internet self-efficacy and sources of Internet self-efficacy although there is a significant difference between males and females when it comes to psychological and affective states, specifically Internet anxiety.Understanding how gender differences can be mitigated in different environments like the home, school or workplace can help in motivating more people, regardless of gender, to make use of the Internet more confidently and harness its potential in their day to day lives. Understanding how the different factors related to Internet self-efficacy and the sources of Internet self-efficacy can influence people's behavior and attitudes towards the Internet would also contribute positively to gradually eliminating any gender differences that may be present.Keywords: Internet, self-efficacy, gender differences, behavior, skills