The UN's SDGs highlight the importance of narrowing the "digital divide" to reduce inequality. South Koreahas a high smartphone penetration rate, which has resolved the first-level information gap. However, other gapsin utilization capabilities and pe...
The UN's SDGs highlight the importance of narrowing the "digital divide" to reduce inequality. South Koreahas a high smartphone penetration rate, which has resolved the first-level information gap. However, other gapsin utilization capabilities and performance differences remain, and recent research has focused on the 3rd levelinformation gap, which measures digital usability. This study examines the third-level information gap forelderly individuals in the information-vulnerable class compared to the whole age group in South Korea. Thestudy finds that internet activities affecting usability are similar for all age groups on PCs and mobile devices.
However, mobile social relations services and information production sharing have a greater impact on theelderly. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to improve digital skills for the elderly andpromote digital inclusion, given the country's aging population. Policies and interventions should be tailored tomeet the specific needs of different age groups, and promoting digital inclusion is essential to reducinginequality and achieving the UN's SDGs.