Bengaluru: Karnataka is witnessing a significant surge in internet connectivity, with adult internet usage climbing steeply in recent years, as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6. The proportion of women aged 15-49 who have ever used the internet rose from 35% in NFHS-5 (2019-21) to 57.9% in 2023-24, while male usage increased from 56.3% to 84.3%, highlighting the state's rapid digital evolution.
Drivers of Digital Growth
Experts attribute this growth to the seamless integration of the internet into daily life, along with widespread smartphone availability and affordable data plans. Ramesh B, vice-chancellor and professor of sociology at Dr Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University, noted, "From educational institutions to bus stands and railway stations, internet usage is pervasive. More campuses are becoming smart, and even government institutions are incorporating internet services, ensuring nearly everyone interacts with it. Usage begins as early as six months of age and extends to senior citizens."
However, R Indira, provost of social sciences and allied faculties at MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences and former professor of sociology at the University of Mysore, pointed out that digital access remains uneven. "Not everyone owns a smartphone or has reliable connectivity, especially in remote areas. Even those with phones may lack internet access," she said.
Gender and Rural-Urban Divide
Indira described the rise in internet use among women as a positive trend, particularly for those traditionally with limited access to information and social networks. The NFHS-6 data also reveals a rural-urban divide: urban women usage stands at 74.1% versus 45.1% for rural women, while urban men reach 90.2% compared to 79.4% for rural men.
Societal Implications
Sociologists caution that the impact depends on usage patterns. R Rajesh, professor of sociology at Bangalore University, said, "The internet can be a boon or a bane. For skill development and knowledge, it is beneficial; for mere time-pass, it is not." Indira emphasized constructive use: "If women access online resources for knowledge, employment, helplines, or reporting issues like intimate partner violence, it represents significant social progress."
Experts also note changes in community engagement. Rajesh added, "People increasingly connect only virtually, lacking the exchange of ideas and differing opinions that occur in physical spaces."
Data Snapshot
- Women internet users: 35% (2019-21) to 57.9% (2023-24)
- Men internet users: 56.3% (2019-21) to 84.3% (2023-24)
- Urban women: 74.1%
- Rural women: 45.1%
- Urban men: 90.2%
- Rural men: 79.4%
Source: National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6
