People living in the interior or rural areas are synonymous with poor living. Although there is development being done for this area, it is still unable to attract the people of this area from the valley of scarcity. The government has taken steps to bridge the digital divide in Malaysia, but the rural community is still facing low-speed internet network problems and the local community with low education levels will face limited digital literacy experience and far from technology. This study aims to evaluate the perceived usefulness and perceived ease to use of smartphones in the search for information and their relationship to the actual use of smartphones in the search for information by rural communities. This study uses quantitative methods using questionnaire to obtain the data. The survey respondents involved 254 people from the Lubok Antu Sarawak district. The results show that there is a significant relationship between the perceived usefulness and the perceived easy-to-use of smartphones in the search for information with the actual use of smartphones in the search for information by the rural community. It is hoped that this study will help the government understand the digital divide that exists between urban and rural areas. At the same time, this study proposes that more training on smartphone use be provided to the community and authorities on the rise of internet networks in the study area.
Abd Rahman, R. B., Basri, M. B., Husain, K. B., Shamsul, C. W., Ahmad, B. B. C. W., & Danuri, M. S. N. B. M. (2017). Teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi (ICT) dalam kehidupan insan: Integrasi konsep dualiti (Konvensional Dan Islam) dalam silibus kursus pengantar It Information Technology and Communication (ICT) In Human Life: The integration of the concept of duality (conventional and Islamic) in IT introductory courses Syllabus. Jurnal Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah, 4(1), 126–140.
Almasri, A. K. M. (2014). The influence on mobile learning based on technology acceptance model (Tam), mobile readiness (Mr) and perceived interaction (Pi) for higher education students. International Journal of Technical Research and Applications, 2(1), 5–11.
Ayob, N. H., Hamzah, I. S., & Aziz, M. A. (2021). Bridging the digital divide in education: Policies and strategies in Malaysia. Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Environment Management, 6(25), 157–170.
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS quarterly, 319-340.
David, M. E., Roberts, J. A., & Christenson, B. (2018). Too much of a good thing: Investigating the association between actual smartphone use and individual well-being. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 34(3), 265–275. DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2017.1349250
Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka. Access on June 8, 2022, retrieved from https://prpm.dbp.gov.my/cari1?keyword=luar%20bandar
Ferri, F., Grifoni, P., & Guzzo, T. (2020). Online learning and emergency remote teaching: Opportunities and challenges in emergency situations. Societies, 10(4), 1–18.
Fishbein, M., & Ajzen, I. (1975). Belief, attitude, intention, and behavior: An introduction to the theory and research. Reading, MA: AAddison Wesley
Jasni, M. A., Mohd Che Nasir, N., & Ibrahim, M. N. (2020). Strategi komunikasi dengan gelandangan semasa pandemik COVID-19: pengalaman sukarelawan sepanjang fasa Perintah kawalan pergerakan di Malaysia. In Forum Komunikasi (FK) (Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 57-91). Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA.
Kamarudin, S., & Omar, S. Z. (2021). Faktor peramal penerimaan perkhidmatan e-kerajaan. Jurnal Komunikasi, 37(1), 1–27.
Kariki, S., Ishak, M. Z., & Fong, S. F. (2017). Keperluan instrumen ptpk-ipg untuk merealisasikan kompetensi mengintegrasikan teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi dalam pembelajaran dan pemudahcaraan. Jurnal Kinabalu, 23.
Kementerian Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia. (2021). JENDELA perkasa inisiatif ekonomi digital Sabah, Sarawak. Access on April 18, 2022, retrieved from 56 https://www.kkmm.gov.my/awam/berita/20857-jendela-perkasa-inisiatif-ekonomidigital-sabah-sarawak
Lanaj, K., Johnson, R. E., & Barnes, C. M. (2012). Beginning the workday already depleted? Consequences of late-night smartphone use and sleep quantity. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 2012, No. 1, p. 14372). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management. https://doi.org/10.5465/ambpp.2012.330
Malaysia Gazette. (2017). Pengguna internet meningkat, Facebook paling popular di Malaysia. Access on May 7, 2022, retrieved from https://malaysiagazette.com/2017/11/15/pengguna-internet-meningkat-facebookpaling-popular-di-malaysia/
Marpaung, J. (2018). Pengaruh penggunaan gadget dalam kehidupan. KOPASTA: Journal of the Counseling Guidance Study Program, 5(2), 55–64. Access on June 8, 2022, retrieved from https://www.journal.unrika.ac.id/index.php/kopastajournal/ article/view/1521/1107.
McDaniel, B. T., & Coyne, S.M. (2014). Technoference: The interference of technology in couple relationships and implications for women’s personal and relational well-being. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 5(1), 85–98.
Mugo, K. J. (2014). Effective implementation of technology innovations in higher education institutions: A survey of selected projects in universities in Africa. PhD diss., Kenyatta University.
Mugo, D.G., Njagi, K., Chemwei, B., & Motanya, J.O. (2017). The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and its application to the utilization of mobile learning technologies. British Journal of Mathematics and Computer Science, 20(4), 1–8. DOI: 10.9734/BJMCS/2017/29015
Nortajuddin, A. (2020). Social media habits during the pandemic. The Asean Post.
Pamuji, A. (2020). Pengembangan model penerimaan teknologi termodifikasi pada persepsi jarak sosial, dan persepsi jarak fisik. Jurnal Sistem Cerdas, 3(2), 165–175.
Park, Y., & Chen, J. V. (2007). Acceptance and adoption of the innovative use of smartphones. Industrial management & data systems, 107(9), 1349-1365.
Pitchan, M. A., & Anuwa, S. N. A. S. (2021). Kesan Pelaksanaan Pusat Internet Desa ke atas Penduduk Luar Bandar di Beranang dan Tanjung Sepat. Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication, 37(4), 70– 87. https://doi.org/10.17576/jkmjc-2021-3704-05
Ramdas, M., & Rassiah, K. (2022). Institutional repository at Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah: Penggunaan statistik dalam penyelidikan. Intuitional Repository Politeknik Sultan Salahudin Abdul Aziz Shah. Access on April 19, 2022, retrieved from http://repository.psa.edu.my/handle/123456789/3526
Salleh, N., & Mansur, K. (2020). Pembangunan sumber di luar bandar. Universiti Malaysia Sabah Press.
Sannusi, S. N., Ibrahim, F., Shaari, A. H., & Subhi, N. (2019). Penggunaan media sosial dalam kalangan remaja B40 di sekitar Lembah Klang. Jurnal Komunikasi: Malaysian Journal of Communication, 35(4), 101–118.
Sawal, M. A. (2020). Pembelajaran secara mudah alih rapatkan jurang digital. Access on June 8, 2022, retrieved from
https://www.bharian.com.my/rencana/komentar/2020/05/688587/pembelajaransecara-mudah-alih-rapatkan-jurang-digital.
Shamsuddin, N. S. B. (2019). Perbandingan penggunaan telefon pintar untuk tujuan umum dan pembelajaran dalam kalangan pelajar Semester 1 di Politeknik Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, Dungun, Terengganu. Access on June 8, 2022, retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348833354_Perbandingan_Penggunaan_Tel efon_Pintar_Untuk_Tujuan_Umum_Dan_Pembelajaran_Dalam_Kalangan_Pelajar_S emester_1_Di_Politeknik_Sultan_Mizan_Zainal_Abidin_Dungun_Terengganu/citatio n/download
Sarawak S. (2020). Cabaran internet ke luar bandar. Access on Dec 28, 2022, retrieved from https://suarasarawak.my/2020/11/cabaran-internet-ke-luar-bandar/
Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (2020). Internet users survey 2020. Access on Nov 2, 2022, retrieved from https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf/IUS-2020- Infographic.pdf
Vahedi, Z., & Saiphoo, A. (2018). The association between smartphone use, stress, and anxiety: A meta-analytic review. Stress and Health, 34(3), 347–358. doi:10.1002/smi.2805
Van Dijk, J. (2017). Digital divide: Impact of access. The International Encyclopedia of Media Effects, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118783764.wbieme0043
Van Deursen, A. J. A. M., & Van Dijk, J. A. G. M. (2019). The first-level digital divide shifts from inequalities in physical access to inequalities in material access. New Media and Society, 21(2), 354–375. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444818797082
van Endert, T. S., & Mohr, P. N. (2020). Likes and impulsivity: Investigating the relationship between actual smartphone use and delay discounting. PloS one, 15(11), e0241383. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241383
