Republic of the Philippines

BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY

The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

ASSESSING THE STRUCTURE OF DIGITAL LITERACY COMPETENCE AMONG

DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS

A Research Paper
Presented to
the Faculty of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Fine Arts
Batangas State University
Batangas, City

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for
The Contemporary World

by

MICAH ABEGAIL B. CASTILLO

GRACIE ANNE M. GARCIA
RAIZEN MARTIUS P. LIM
MARK LAWRENCE R. MAIQUEZ
JEAN R. PEDERNAL

THEREZIA O. CONTI, Ed. D. and Ph. D.

Professor

February 2023

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter of the paper presents the problem and its setting. It includes the

background of the study, the statement of the problem, significance of the study and

scope and delimitation of the study.

Background of the Study

Over the past several centuries, human society has undergone significant

transformation, and this "modernization" process has had a significant impact on our

daily lives. Today, we live quite different lives than those our people did even five

generations ago. Since the emergence of digital devices and services began during

the Third Industrial Revolution in the second half of the 20 century, that carries on
th

with the Fourth Industrial Revolution we are experiencing today boosted by machine

learning and artificial intelligence (Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, 2020),

the increasing use and demand for these technological innovations have only

developed, introducing numerous advancements across a diverse lists of sectors

thereby addressing the need for citizens of the modern age to be digitally literate,

particularly in developing countries. 

In today's world, where information spreads very rapidly, data containing false

information, low reliability, and information made for provocation cause misleading

results for individuals and society. Some concepts must be comprehended in order

to live in the digital society being created by the rapid growth of digital technologies.

One of them is the concept of digital literacy (Egeli, 2021). Digital literacy helps
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

people grasp how digital technology works and how to use it effectively by building

on their general literacy and reading skills (Nicholson, 2017). This includes critical

thinking and assessment of information, familiarity with various devices, exploring

the internet, and an understanding of issues related to digital technology. Many have

found that this will be a necessary skill in the future citing its importance in terms of

online awareness, academic prospects, cybersecurity, future adaptability and more,

while education systems suffer in the implementation and updating of literacy

measures (Morris, 2018). It is then imperative that digital literacy must be assessed

and ascertained to see if the populace is sufficiently prepared for the future.

Being literate in this aspect is essential to adjusting the country to the

changing world where demands in the labor market have evolved and the shifting

socio-cultural fabric that the internet has penetrated into as well. Over 4.6 billion

people actively use the internet (Johnson, 2021) which makes 95 percent of all

information existing in the world is digitized and most of it is accessible on the

internet and other computer networks. According to Kemp (2022), the Philippine’s

internet penetration rate stood at 68.0 percent of the total population at the start of

2022, with 76.01 million internet users out of 113.9 million residents. It is also clear

that the Philippine government is, at the very least, interested in advancing its

citizen’s awareness on digital matters. In an analysis by Oxford Business Group,

they reported that during the Aquino administration, digital access and literacy has

been recognized as a key factor in economic development for marginalized groups

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

of society. Thus, the implementation of the IT and business process outsourcing (IT-

BPO) has been used to make future investments in the Next Wave Cities (NWCs)

and outside the National Capital Region (NCR) and Cebu. In alignment with

Tech4Ed and TVET institutions which are also indicators of this shift towards

technology, a digital literacy movement called “DigiBayanihan” has been

established.

However, innovations of today came relatively late for the Philippines

resulting in younger generations to become more adept, albeit may not necessarily

be sufficiently literate, compared to older generations. According to the study

uncovered by Rogayan (2020), data on digital literacy only focuses mostly on

students, not the population as a whole. Given the fact that this is a relatively new

topic and literacy matters usually focus only on students, who are younger than the

majority of the population. Despite the efforts given by the government in advancing

literacy among younger Filipinos and the clear and present prevalence and

popularity of the internet in the Philippines given the data mentioned before, these

data do not sufficiently show how literate the people are concerning the use of digital

platforms. An accurate and comprehensive depiction of this has not yet been

published that takes into account various demographic age groups. Even if there are

several data like mentioned before declaring social media and internet use, none of

them adequately reflect how literate society is as a whole when it comes to the

digital platforms that enable their internet mobility in the first place.

Considering this, the study was poised to answer the knowledge gap

regarding the overall literacy of respondents gathered from Batangas City residents
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

in technology, divided into age groups to ascertain what trends and insights we can

gather. The researchers affirm that digital literacy is increasingly important in today’s

modern society as the internet and other digital technologies gradually take over

many people’s lives. Hence, this study entitled “Assessing the Structure of Digital

Literacy Competence among Different Age Groups” has been created to improve our

understanding of this timely literacy measure, and grasping the digital literacy among

different age demographics of respondents will enable the study to draw meaningful

insight on what the trends are, and what can be done for the future using this

knowledge. Using a questionnaire based on proven methods, the study will ascertain

the respondent’s digital literacy, statistically treating and further analyzing the data to

achieve the study’s objectives. 

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

PARADIGM

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

Figure 1: Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 describes the conceptual framework of the study wherein the input

section, the researchers focused mainly on the objectives of the study which are to

determine the demographic profile of respondents in terms of: age, sex, education,

socio-economic status, and access to technology, to assess how digitally literate the

respondents are with regards to their knowledge using technology and self -

assessment, and lastly, to analyze if there is a statistically significant relationship

between the profiles of the respondents to their digital literacy competencies. In the

Process section, the researchers started to ask the respondents permission

regarding the interview then following the survey protocols and interview proper. The

researchers concentrated on creating questionnaires about the issue and conducting

an online survey to prove the hypothesis. Then, right after the researchers

accomplished the survey the researchers will now proceed in gathering data. Lastly,

in the Output section, this is where the researchers finalized the objectives of the

study and interpreted the data obtained. The researchers completed the

computations and data collection and were able to understand the overall study.

Also, the researchers were able to come up with a solution and possible strategies

to address the digital gap surrounding the overall literacy of the respondents in terms

of technology. 

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

According to the relatively recent learning paradigm known as connectivism,

which was first proposed by two theorists, namely, George Siemens and Stephen

Downes, in 2005, this theory states that students should effectively combine ideas,

theories, and general knowledge. It acknowledges that technology plays a significant

role in the learning process and that staying connected all the time allows us to

make decisions about our learning. Additionally, it encourages group participation

and conversation, allowing for various points of view and opinions when it comes to

making decisions, solving problems, and understanding information. Connectivism

encourages learning that takes place in environments other than a person's home,

such as social media, internet forums, blogs, or informational databases.

Furthermore, online publications of the articles Connectivism: Learning as a

Network Creation by Siemens and An Introduction to Connective Knowledge by

Downes were made in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Throughout the publications, it

is discussed how crucial technology is to education and how the digital age has

accelerated students' access to information. Since that time, Downes and Siemens

have both kept up their writing and speaking on the subject. Everybody, though,

possesses a slightly different outlook. Siemens tends to concentrate on

connectivism's social components, whereas Downes concentrates on non-human

appliances and machine-based learning.

Overall, it is coherent with our study because it would address technology

use, which is an important aspect of the current study we are performing. It might

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

also concern students' use of technology to get information, which is another aspect

of this study. Lastly, this study is interrelated to the recent study because it aims to

combine ideas, theories, and information about the various perspectives, so this idea

may also be linked to this since we will require various perspectives from various

age groups in order to understand the discrepancy between their levels of digital

literacy.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The study endeavors to discover and ascertain the technological and digital

literacy of different age groups in Batangas City for assessment and analysis. More

specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of:

a. Age

b. Sex

c. Education

d. Socio – economic statues

e. Access to technology

2. How digitally literate are the respondents in the following aspects

a. Knowledge using technology

I. Information Skills

II. Communication Skills

b. Self – assessment

I. Operational Skills

II. Formal Skills

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

3. What are the similarities and differences in digital literacy among the different

generations of respondents?

a. Between Generation Alpha and Gen Z

b. Between Generation Alpha and Millennials

c. Between Generation Alpha and Gen X

d. Between Gen Z and Millennials

e. Between Gen Z and Gen X

f. Between Millennials and Gen X

4. Is there a statistically significant relationship between the profiles of the re-

spondents to their digital literacy competencies?

5. What strategies can be proposed in order to prioritize the knowledge gap sur-

rounding the overall literacy of respondents in technology?

HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

            The information obtained from the study entitled "Assessing the Structure of

Digital Literacy Competence among Different Age Groups" which aims to determine

the technological and digital literacy of various age groups can benefit the following

entities:

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 The Department of Information and Communication Technology of the

Philippines for the results of this paper can be used as a basis for what they can do

to improve digital literacy among Filipinos. The information generated can be used

as a basis for projects and laws that can shape policies for the Filipino people to be

globally competitive and capable.

School administrators, since this study can help shape academic policy on

how to better integrate digital literacy in their curriculum through the accurate

depiction it can provide in portraying literacy of various age groups in the digital field.

Students, the findings will provide the students with a bunch of information

that will allow them to have a better understanding of digital literacy competence and

how it differs among different age groups. With the information that they may gather,

they can realize and acknowledge the benefits and importance of being digitally

literate.

Statisticians, as now they have a precise measure of the current literacy rate

on technology and digital platforms across a wide range of age groups that they can

rely on and make trends and predictions. They can even work on top of the study to

make more accurate and detailed findings of their own that incorporate variables

outside the scope of this study.

Lastly, the future researchers, the concepts written and gathered within this

research study are particularly utilized as a reference beyond the future and by new

researchers upon developing a way better expounded knowledge within this matter.

In addition to that, it will also be fundamentally dominant in the process of testing the

validity of other related discoveries, among other things. This research will also
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

function as a cross-reference for them, providing them with a background or an

overview of the elements that will allow them to understand and assess the structure

of digital literacy competence among different age groups.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

In this particular study, the researchers focused on assessing the digital

literacy competence among different age groups in Batangas City. The relationship

among different variables such as age, gender, education, socio-economic status

and access to technology are considered to be the factors that influence the

development of digital literacy skills. The researchers concede that these factors

may significantly affect the respondent’s digital ability, however the researchers

affirmed that age is the most effective measure that can be accessible and

accurately examined in this study.

The researchers will obtain eight (80) respondents, twenty (20) per generation

through convenience sampling. The researchers made sure that they are

knowledgeable enough about the population so they can choose the relevant

stratification. The samples to be chosen will serve as the representative of the

corresponding population of interest. The study will use a quantitative approach to

gather data on digital literacy competence among different age groups. The study

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

will employ a standardized digital literacy assessment tool to measure the

respondents' digital literacy skills, which will allow for comparisons to be made

between different age groups.

As with the majority of studies, the design of the current study is subject to

limitations. The results reported herein should be considered in the light of some

limitations because a sampling error may occur. The researchers also decided to

limit the study to Batangas City residents as respondents for convenience purposes,

thus, the results may not be generalizable to other regions or countries. This

research will be limited to specific age groups, such as children, teenagers, young

adults, and older adults that belong to Generation Alpha, Gen Z, Millennials, and

Gen X, respectively. Another limitation set by the researchers is the age range of

respondents. The age group researchers considered for literacy assessment only

spans 10-year-olds to 58, divided based on generations. Therefore, ages 9 and

below were not considered (Beresford Research, 2021). This limitation aims to

provide a detailed understanding of digital literacy competence among specific age

groups. This will solely examine digital literacy competence, which is the ability to

use digital technologies to locate, evaluate, and effectively use information. The

study will not explore other types of literacy, such as media literacy or financial

literacy and settled on using digital literacy alone since the definition and widespread

use of the term is more common in general, as well as the term’s overlapping

meaning with these other forms of literacy. Moreover, the researchers will use self-

reported measures to assess digital literacy competence, and this may be subject to

biases and limitations. The accuracy of the data may be influenced by the
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

respondents' level of self-awareness or their willingness to report accurately. This

study will focus on the current state of digital literacy competence and may not

reflect future changes or developments in technology and digital literacy. Therefore,

the findings of the research will be limited to the time frame in which the study was

conducted.

Furthermore, the study will aim to provide recommendations on how digital

literacy competence can be improved among different age groups. These

recommendations may include the implementation of digital literacy training

programs, the creation of digital literacy resources, and the promotion of digital

literacy in educational settings.

Overall, the scope of the research is to provide a comprehensive

understanding of the digital literacy competence among different age groups in

Batangas City, the factors that influence its development, and the ways in which it

can be improved. An online survey questionnaire will be administered to the sample

size and the obtained data will undergo statistical treatments in order to obtain useful

information that could be used for the interpretation of the results. The findings of the

research may contribute to the development of policies and initiatives that promote

digital literacy, particularly among age groups that are found to be lacking in this

area.

 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 This section defines the important terms used in the study. The terms are as follows:

Demographics according to the Population Reference Bureau (2019), it is the scientific study

of human populations, including their sizes, compositions, distributions, densities,

growth, and other characteristics, as well as the causes and consequences of changes

in these factors. In this study, the term is considered to be the factor that influence the

digital literacy of the participants.

Digital literacy refers to the ability to live, learn, and work in a society where communication

and access to information are increasingly facilitated by digital technologies such as

internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices (American Library Association,

2019). In this study, this pertains to the dependent variable of the study, the one being

influenced by age; the one being measured.

Generation Alpha, according to Gen Z and Gen Alpha Infographic Update (n.d.), refers to

the children of millennials that are born from 2010. They also shape the social media

landscape, are the popular culture influencers, and the emerging consumers. They

represent the wealthiest generation in terms of material possessions and technological

sophistication. In this particular study, the term Generation Alpha refers to the

youngest generation involve in the analysis of digital literacy competence.

Gen X is a demographic cohort defined by people born between 1965 to 1980, according to

Beresford Research (2021). The Gen X generation is characterized as resourceful,

autonomous, and committed to preserving work-life balance. In this study, the term

refers to respondents age 43 to 58.

Gen Z is a demographic cohort defined by people born between 1997 to 2012, according
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

to Beresford Research (2021). Members of Gen Z are expected to be the most

educated generation yet, and are more racially and culturally varied that any previous

generation. In this study, this will refer to respondents age 11 to 26.

ICT or Information and Communication Technology is a set of diverse technological tools

and resources used to store, create, exchange, or transmit information and these

include, computers, internet, live and recorded broadcasting technologies, and

telephony (UNESCO, n.d.). In this study, the term is used as one of the aspects that

has been heightened focused on in terms of improving digital opportunities and

literacy.

Internet is a system of architecture that revolutionized communications and methods of

commerce by allowing various computer networks around the world to interconnect

(Dennis & Kahn, 2021). In this study, the term is defined as the crucial technology of

the modern age in which 95 percent of all information existing in the world can be

found on the internet.

Literate, according to the National Council of Teachers of English, it refers to a global metric

we use to evaluate the competency and well-being of communities . It entails how we

connect with the surroundings, how we shape it and how it transforms us. It is the

method by which we speak, listen, read, and write to one another as well as to other

people. The term is used in the study as the characteristic that citizens must

possessed in accordance to modernization.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

Millennials is a demographic cohort defined by people born between 1981 to 1996, according

to Beresford Research (2021). They are also sometimes referred to as “Gen Y.” In this

study, this refers to respondents age 27 to 42.

Modernization is the development process that involves moving from an extractive to a more

manufacturing-based economy IGI Global (2023). In this study, the term

modernization refers to the transformation of society that is boosted by machine

learning and artificial intelligence.

Chapter 2

This chapter proffers the related literature and studies after the thorough and

in – depth forage done by the researchers. The literature and studies adduced in this

chapter addresses the different ideas, concepts, generalization, conclusions and

also the different development related to the study. This will serve as a guide for the

researcher in developing the project.

This chapter proffers the re-

lated literature and studies af-
ter the thorough and in – depth
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

forage done by the researchers.

The literature and studies ad-
duced in this chapter addresses
the
different ideas, concepts, gen-
eralization, conclusions and
also the different development
related
to the study starting from the
past up to the present. This
will serve as a guide for the re-
searchers
in developing the project.
Moreover, the information

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

included in this chapter,
helps in
familiarizing details that are
apposite and similar to the
present study
This chapter proffers the re-
lated literature and studies af-
ter the thorough and in – depth
forage done by the researchers.
The literature and studies ad-
duced in this chapter addresses
the
different ideas, concepts, gen-
eralization, conclusions and
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

also the different development

related
to the study starting from the
past up to the present. This
will serve as a guide for the re-
searchers
in developing the project.
Moreover, the information
included in this chapter,
helps in
familiarizing details that are
apposite and similar to the
present study.
LITERATURE REVIEW

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

Age Demographics

          Demography refers to the statistical study of the human population, especially

with reference to size and density, distribution, and vital statistics such as births,

marriages, and deaths, according to the Britannica Encyclopedia (2023). A

demographic profile such as the age of the respondent may or may not have an

effect on an individual’s digital literacy competence.

As per the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (2020 CPH), the

Philippines had 109,035,343 individuals living there. The household population

made up 99.7% of this total. In 2020, there were 108.67 million households, of which

55.02 million (50.6%) were male and 53.65 million (49.4%) were female. This

population was divided into three categories: the young dependents, the working-

age or economically active population, and the old dependents. These age groups

are under 15 years old, 15 to 64 years old, and 65 years and over, respectively.

According to the article titled Improving digital skills in the Philippines by

Jeffrey Ian Dy (2022), for a country that is considered among the world’s top social

media users, the nation’s state of information and communication technology (ICT)

literacy is very dismal in the Philippines. As of 2019, the latest available data shows

that only 6% of those aged 15 and above have basic internet skills, while only 2%

have standard digital skills. Less than 1% of those aged 15 and above have

advanced digital skills. The Global Digital Connectivity Target for 2030 is for 50% of

those aged 15 and above to have standard digital skills and 70% of the same age

bracket to have basic digital skills. It is evidently stated that the Philippines is indeed
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

in need of improving everyone’s digital literacy skills in order to keep up with the

rapidly growing community in terms of technology. It is still not the end; we could still

find ways to make things change. It will not be easy, but we need to work together to

improve everyone’s ICT literacy in the country. On the other hand, there are a lot of

instruments that are designed to measure the digital literacy of the general

population. However, there are some studies that are generally made to assess the

appropriateness of these measurements for older populations. According to J Med

Internet Res (2021), the current digital literacy assessment instruments targeting

older adults have both strengths and weaknesses relative to their study design,

administration method, and ease of use. Certain instrument modalities, such as the

Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire (MDPQ), are more inclusive and

generalizable, making them suitable for evaluating individuals' digital literacy.

Digital Literacy

In the twenty-first century, information and communication technologies (ICT)

and the internet have fueled advancements and growth in banking, transportation,

economics, and, most importantly, education. Citizens of the twenty-first century now

have access to new opportunities made possible by the advancement of ICT. As a

result, individuals require a diverse set of abilities, competencies, and skills in order

to adapt to the technological era. Humanity has become increasingly dependent on

the digital tools we use to carry out our daily tasks for a significant portion of recent

history. This implies that in order to fully and competently adapt to the work we have

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

in modern times, a certain level of digital literacy is required. Hence, digital literacy is

defined as the ability to use digital tools to communicate and collaborate through

social engagement by using information and critical thinking, much like its

counterparts in other fields (American Library Association, 2019). Digital literacy

encompasses the technology people use daily, such as the hardware and software

that enables communication and work along with the numerous digital platforms and

social media people rely on.

There is a lack of current information on digital literacy, with most studies

looking into the subject concentrating on students and digital literacy programs in

schools. The researchers wanted to conduct this study to fill this knowledge gap and

give a more comprehensive picture of society's level of digital literacy. According to

American Library Association (2022), even though lockdowns have subsided and the

majority of schools and libraries have reopened, access to dependable broadband,

devices, and digital literacy instruction are still essential for tasks like schoolwork,

employment, public services, telehealth visits, social connections, and civic

engagement. And as technology infrastructure develops further, this need will

increase exponentially. According to recent data, there are 4.15 billion active mobile

social media users worldwide. Of these users, 92.6% used mobile devices to access

the internet, giving the world's internet penetration rate of 59.5%. (Johnson, 2021).

According to a report, internet usage in the Philippines is still high overall, with the

nation leading the world in social media usage for six years running as well as

internet usage overall (Chua, 2021). According to Sanchez's statistical report from

2021, out of the country's 110 million residents, there are now around 73.91 million
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

internet users in the Philippines. They claimed that people over 16 make up the

majority of the digital population.

Due to the widespread use of digital platforms and devices, it shows that the

country must have access to the internet and technological devices, as well as the

necessary infrastructure and knowledge to allow for meaningful public participation

in digital spaces. However, in addition to the aforementioned, this latter aspect has

raised significant concerns about how rapidly new technologies spread to people. In

fact, a lot of people are unable to use technology because they do not acquire it,

which prevents them from actively contributing to the growth of the knowledge

society (Feola, 2016).

Lastly, digital literacy is crucially significant and valuable in today's society.

Morris (2018) argues that because digital literacy redefines how literacy is measured

and utilized, it is important for people. Literacy used to mean being able to read and

write, but today it has a far broader definition especially because of digital literacy

and the opportunities it provides for learning and creating. Lynch (2018) added on

this by saying that digital literacy is the most important tool for lifelong learning in

today’s world, citing its foundational principles and numerous benefits. Levy (2018)

also shared reasons why digital literacy is important for educators, who are vital in

shaping citizens of the future such as deeper learning, responsible digital citizenship,

enabling differentiation, making cultural connections, improving technology and

more.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

Factors Affecting Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is a crucial aspect of modern society as it empowers

individuals to effectively engage with digital technologies and navigate the digital

world. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in assessing digital literacy

competence among different age groups to identify potential gaps and develop

effective strategies for enhancing digital literacy skills. Eshet-Alkalai and Chajut

(2018) emphasized that digital literacy is not a single skill, but a combination of

various skills that people need to be competent in using digital technologies. They

suggested that digital literacy should be assessed based on different levels and

relevant contexts, rather than just on a single measure. They also discussed how

different age groups may have different levels of digital literacy, and how contextual

factors may influence their digital literacy competence. 

Age is an important factor that can influence digital literacy competence, as

individuals of different age groups may have varying experiences with digital

technologies and different levels of exposure to digital content. Kirschner and

Karpinski (2018) investigated the digital literacy skills of older adults compared to

younger adults. They found that while older adults demonstrated lower levels of

digital literacy competence than younger adults, the differences were relatively small

and could be partially explained by differences in technology use patterns. The

authors suggested that older adults could benefit from targeted digital literacy

training programs that focus on their specific needs and interests. 

Digital literacy competence is also closely related to the development of

critical thinking and information literacy skills. Koltay (2019) argued that digital
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

literacy competence should be seen as a multidimensional construct that

encompasses not only technical skills but also critical thinking, ethical awareness,

and social responsibility. The author proposed a conceptual framework of digital

literacy competence that includes four dimensions: technical competence, cognitive

competence, critical competence, and social competence. The study emphasized

the importance of integrating digital literacy competence into education curricula to

equip individuals with the necessary skills and competencies to thrive in the digital

age. 

Factors affecting the acceptance of blog usage, including technology

acceptance, social influence, and knowledge sharing motivation (Hsu, 2018). The

results indicate that technology acceptance and knowledge sharing motivation are

significant predictors of blog usage, and social influence plays a moderating role. It

emphasizes the importance of technology acceptance for digital literacy and the

acceptance of digital tools among different age groups. The effect of social media

use on individuals' information behavior, including information seeking, evaluation,

and use. The results show that social media use has a positive effect on information

seeking and evaluation but a negative effect on information use. This highlights the

complex relationship between social media use and digital literacy among different

age groups. (Lee and Wang, 2018) 

Digital literacy refers to an individual's ability to use and understand digital

technologies. There are several factors that can impact an individual's digital literacy.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

One of the most significant factors is access to technology. The availability and

accessibility of digital devices, internet connectivity, and other technology-related

resources can impact digital literacy. According to Li et al. (2019), access to

technology and socioeconomic status are the two most significant factors that affect

digital literacy. They found that students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds had

lower levels of digital literacy than those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.

The authors suggest that targeted interventions, such as providing technology

training and resources to underserved communities, could help bridge this digital

divide. 

The assessment of digital literacy is important in understanding the skills,

knowledge, and attitudes required to effectively use digital devices, applications, and

networks. Different age groups and contexts require different levels of digital literacy

competence, which can be evaluated based on four levels: operational, formal,

information, and strategic. Studies have shown that older adults who are more

familiar with digital devices and applications, have received formal training or

education on digital technologies, and possess motivation and self-efficacy are more

likely to possess higher levels of digital literacy. Furthermore, factors such as

personal traits, technology self-efficacy, and digital access also play a role in

determining digital literacy competence. 

Strategies to Address Digital Divide

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

In recent years, digital inequalities have become a significant issue in modern

societies due to the unequal distribution of access, use, and efficacy of digital

resources (Pappas et al., 2018). Access to digital resources is not evenly distributed,

and individuals living in rural or low-income areas may have limited access to high-

speed internet or digital devices (United Nations, 2018). Similarly, actual use of

digital resources can also be affected by a lack of training, technical skills, or

confidence, particularly among older adults or individuals with lower levels of

education (Pappas et al., 2018).

Despite these challenges, digital resources such as business analytics, big

data, and artificial intelligence are critical for the transition of societies towards

sustainability (United Nations, 2018). These transformative technologies have the

potential to drive economic growth, promote social inclusion, and support

environmental sustainability (Pappas et al., 2018). Therefore, reducing digital

inequalities is critical for sustainable digitalized societies. It requires concerted

efforts by governments, private organizations, and civil society to ensure that

everyone has equal access to digital resources and the skills to use them effectively

(United Nations, 2018). By doing so, societies can leverage the transformative

power of digital resources to achieve sustainable development goals.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the critical need to address

digital inequalities in healthcare delivery. The review by Litchfield, Shukla, and

Greenfield (2021) found that disadvantaged populations, such as those with low

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

income or limited access to technology, were particularly vulnerable to the digital

divide in healthcare. This divide could worsen existing health inequalities, as patients

who lack access to digital healthcare technologies may miss out on important health

information, resources, and services.

However, there are strategies that can help to bridge the digital divide in

healthcare. For example, increasing investment in digital infrastructure and providing

digital literacy training to patients and healthcare providers can help to ensure that

everyone has equal access to digital healthcare technologies (Litchfield, Shukla, &

Greenfield, 2021). By doing so, healthcare providers can improve the quality and

efficiency of care delivery, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all

patients, regardless of their socio-economic status or access to technology.

The concept of digital divide has been around for over two decades now, and

yet the divide persists, and in some cases, is becoming more complex and nuanced.

While initial disparities focused on access to digital technologies, the inequalities

today are more complex, and include differentiated usage, skills, and network

infrastructure. These inequalities continue to persist across various socio-economic,

gender, racial and geographic boundaries, leading to the emergence of new forms of

inequalities. And to understand the complex and interrelated nature of digital

inequalities and how they persist in society. (Robinson et al, 2020)

Social factors such as socioeconomic status, education level, and literacy

play a significant role in exacerbating the digital divide in healthcare. Underserved

populations often face additional barriers to telehealth access due to their low
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

socioeconomic status, limited access to education, and low health literacy levels.

This creates a significant challenge for healthcare providers looking to provide care

to these vulnerable populations. In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has

highlighted the existence of a digital divide in healthcare, which threatens to

exacerbate existing disparities in healthcare access. It is important to recognize and

address the social factors that contribute to the digital divide. Efforts to address the

digital divide in healthcare are critical to ensuring equitable access to healthcare for

all populations, particularly those that are underserved. (Ramsetty & Adams, 2020)

RELATED STUDIES

Age Demographics

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

Measuring digital literacy across three age cohorts: Exploring test

dimensionality and performance differences

Digital literacy is undoubtedly an essential capability that students should

acquire in this rapidly changing world. Yet, there is conflict between empirical

analyses reporting unidimensional digital literacy scores and theoretical

conceptualizations of digital literacy as a multidimensional entity. In addition to that,

little is known about the potential differences in digital literacy between age cohorts

and whether and when gender-based performance gaps may appear. Therefore,

knowledge regarding dimensional structure and measurement, as well as

performance at various ages, is required due to the necessity for schools to be able

to deliver age-appropriate digital literacy teaching in the curriculum. As a result, the

current study attempted to fill in research gaps by creating an evaluation that could

be used to gauge digital literacy at the primary and secondary school levels.

The goal of this study is to develop a test that is adequate and reliable for

assessing the digital literacy of various age groups. To that end, a thorough

framework for digital literacy assessment has been created. Three distinct age

cohorts of students were used in this study: one from primary schools and two from

secondary schools specifically in Hong Kong. This has allowed for the examination

of performance variations and the dimensionality of digital literacy. Furthermore, it

has been determined that the measured digital literacy is a unidimensional construct

based on comparisons of unidimensional and multidimensional item response

models. As a result, secondary school students demonstrated better levels of digital

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

literacy than did students in primary schools. Also, it has been observed that among

students in secondary schools, there is a gender gap in digital literacy.

Overall, it is proposed that additional study is required to fully comprehend

how the gender disparity in digital literacy performance emerged with the use of a

longitudinal study.

Share of those 65 and older who are tech users has grown in the past decade

          Younger people are frequently more likely than older adults to be early

adopters of innovations, and this has been the case for numerous digital

technologies since the Pew Research Center started tracking their use. For

American individuals under 30 and those 65 and older, there are still significant

variances in how they use technology. But on a number of fronts, older individuals'

use of important technologies has increased noticeably since roughly ten years ago,

and the age difference between older and younger adults has decreased, according

to a recent analysis of a Center poll performed in 2021. According to the study, 61%

of seniors 65 and over own a smartphone compared to 96% of individuals in the 18

to 29 age group, a 35 percentage point gap. The difference, nevertheless, has

dropped from 53 points in 2012. Additionally, according to the survey, 83% of people

aged 50 to 64 and 95% of those aged 30 to 49 reported having smartphones in

2021. Similarly, the most recent study found that people 65 and older were the least

likely to claim to use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

Instagram. In comparison to 84% of those between the ages of 18 and 29 and 81%

of those between the ages of 30 and 49, only 45% of people reported using social

media. The usage of social media among Americans 65 and older has increased by

roughly four times since 2010, whereas it has stayed largely unchanged among

younger people during that time. The difference between people under 30 and those

65 and older has lessened from 71 points to 39 points since 2010. Furthermore,

owning a tablet computer is slightly different. Individuals ages 30 to 49 were the

most likely to possess one in 2021. Almost six out of ten people (61%) indicated they

presently own a tablet. Comparatively, 53% of people aged 50 to 64, 46% of people

aged 18 to 29, and 44% of people aged 65 and above own tablets. 

          Nowadays, almost all adults between the ages of 18 and 29 report using the

internet (99%). 98% of people in the 30- to 49-year-old age range agree with this

statement. Moreover, 96% of those aged 50 to 64 report using the internet,

compared to 75% of those over the age of 65. The difference in internet usage

between the oldest and youngest adult age groups narrowed from 56 percentage

points in 2000 to 24 points now. When it comes to home broadband, there are also

disparities between adults and some of their younger counterparts: 64% of those 65

and older currently have such connections, compared to 86% of those 30 to 49 and

79% of those 50 to 64. (The 70% of adults under 30 who use home broadband

matches that of adults 65 and older statistically.) When comparing the frequency of

internet use, there are evident distinctions between age groups. In contrast to 22%

of those aged 50 to 64 and 8% of those aged 65 and above, 48% of those in the 18

to 29 age group claimed to be online "very constantly." In terms of the percentage of

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

individuals who use the sites and apps specifically mentioned in the survey,

YouTube comes out on top, and the platform is becoming popular with older adults.

From 2019 to 2021, an increase of 7% to 8% was seen in the percentage of

Americans aged 50 to 64 who indicated they had ever used YouTube. YouTube

usage climbed by 13 and 11 points, respectively, among people 65 and older, from

38% to 49%. Conversely, among younger age groups during the same time period,

the share of people using YouTube has remained largely consistent, with large

majorities indicating usage.

          In conclusion, there has been a significant difference in how people of

different ages use technology. Although younger people are more adaptable than

older people, this gap is closing with time as adults learn how to use electronics and

some social networking sites. Overall, it has been established that technology is

becoming more and more common among people in today's world.

Digital Literacy

Measurement of digital literacy among older adults: systematic review

Digital technology is seen as a new opportunity in the age of global aging to

address a number of aging-related challenges. In line with this, the proportion of the

older population using digital technology has increased, though it remains lower than

that of younger generations. Current tests of older adult's digital literacy tend to be

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

acceptance models and adoption barrier-focused, failing to consider the diversity of

users' ability. Designs that put a lot of emphasis on obstacles may marginalize older

adults by making the assumption that they are less adept at using digital

technologies than their younger counterparts, as stressed by Choi et. al (2020).

Using the European Commission's Digital Competence (DigComp)

Framework, this systematic review sought to identify and critically assess studies

that assessed older adults' digital literacy. It also sought to assess how age-

appropriate digital literacy components were addressed by the digital literacy

instruments used in the studies. Choi et. al (2020) emphasized the significance of

older adults' digital literacy and gave a thorough overview of the instruments used to

assess it. In accordance with the elements of a validated digital competency

framework, researchers also highlighted the various advantages and disadvantages

of each instrument with regards to age-appropriateness and suitability for older

adults. 

In conclusion, additional research is necessary to develop a more thorough

and precise method for assessing older adults' digital literacy. Evidently, there are

strong correlations between digital literacy and the use of information and

communications technologies to support older adults' physical and mental well-

being. The diverse healthcare needs of this expanding but vulnerable population

could be better served by additional evaluations and studies of older adults' digital

literacy that get around the limitations of current research and measurement

designs.
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

Digital literacy among young learners: How do EFL teachers and learners view

its benefits and barriers.

According to Heri (2020), young learners' use of digital technology to learn

languages has grown in importance among EFL teachers, students, and

stakeholders. The present study seeks to examine how young students and EFL

teachers view the advantages and challenges of digital literacy. The findings show

that digital literacy for young learners studying English has both advantages and

disadvantages. In addition to facilitating online cooperation between teacher-

learners and students, digital literacy assists young learners by helping them

develop their writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills as well as get

accustomed to real content.

Heri (2020) stated that young learners can increase their digital writing

literacy by using digital technologies while learning English. The internet applications

that inspired the students to write were social networks like Facebook and blogs.

Moreover, because students had access to engaging and innovative visual elements

online, online reading increased their passion and motivation. As for the young

learners’ skill improvement in listening, when the young students used both offline

and online computer, Android, and internet applications, listening skills were

developed. According to this study, English podcasts and music were more well-

liked by young learners than other types of learning materials. Young students who

were digitally literate were able to communicate effectively verbally in addition to in

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

writing, reading, and listening. The main subject of the digital resources was

frequently repeated by the learner after they had finished listening to a song,

podcast, newscast, or video. It also made it easier for them to understand every

message, text and information they encountered by means of digital tools.

Lastly, findings in the study shows that young students face significant

obstacles to digital literacy. The difficulty of obtaining internet access is one of the

obstacles. The learners from rural schools find it hard to access the internet due to

low signals. They are unable to overcome this obstacle by using the internet to

improve their digital literacy. Curriculum and syllabus must incorporate digital

literacy. Due to this, EFL teachers can get prepared for implementing some digital

literacy-building strategies for young students. This kind of integration also enables

the teachers to control how young students use digital literacy tools, which can have

both positive and negative effects. Support from all parties involved, including

parents, teachers, students, and society as a whole, is crucial for this.

Factors Affecting Digital Literacy

Digital literacy in Africa: Rhetoric and reality. Journal of Development and

Communication Studies

The study, "Digital literacy in Africa: Rhetoric and reality" published in the

Journal of Development and Communication Studies delves into the factors that

impact digital literacy in Africa. One of the primary factors discussed is the lack of

adequate infrastructure. Many regions in Africa lack access to basic resources such
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

as electricity, internet connectivity, and computers or smartphones. As such, it

becomes challenging for individuals to develop digital literacy skills. Socioeconomic

status is another crucial factor affecting digital literacy in Africa, with those who are

more affluent having an advantage in accessing technology and internet

connectivity. Education is also identified as a crucial factor in digital literacy, with a

need for digital literacy training to be integrated into the education system at all

levels. Language barriers and cultural factors such as gender-based discrimination

can also impact digital literacy in Africa.

The study by Chiluwa and Samson (2018) examined the rhetoric and reality

of digital literacy in Africa. The study found that although there is growing awareness

of the importance of digital literacy in Africa, there are still significant barriers to

achieving widespread digital literacy, including limited access to technology and lack

of relevant skills and training. These findings suggest that efforts to improve digital

literacy in Africa must address both the supply side (providing access to technology)

and demand side (providing relevant skills and training) of the digital divide. This

study by Chiluwa and Samson is relevant to our study on assessing the structure of

digital literacy competence among different age groups. Both studies aim to identify

the factors that affect digital literacy and how they vary across different contexts.

However, while our study focuses on different age groups, Chiluwa and Samson's

study examines digital literacy in the African context.

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 Furthermore, Chiluwa and Samson argue that digital literacy initiatives in

Africa need to consider the diverse cultural and linguistic contexts of the continent.

This is also relevant to our study as we are examining the factors that contribute to

digital literacy among different age groups, including cultural and linguistic factors

that may affect the acquisition and use of digital technologies. The article stresses

that digital literacy development in Africa requires a multi-faceted approach that

addresses the various factors that hinder its progress. This may involve improving

infrastructure, increasing access to technology, integrating digital literacy training

into education systems, and addressing language and cultural barriers.

Digital literacy across the life course

Digital literacy refers to the ability to use technology effectively and

appropriately to accomplish a variety of tasks, from basic functions such as browsing

the internet and sending emails, to more complex activities such as programming

and data analysis. The ability to use digital tools and technologies is becoming

increasingly important in today's society, with many jobs and everyday activities

requiring some level of digital proficiency. One factor affecting digital literacy is age,

and the concept of digital literacy across the life course recognizes that individuals'

digital skills and abilities change over time as they age and are exposed to different

technologies.

The study by Hargittai (2018) investigated the relationship between digital

literacy and socioeconomic status (SES) among young adults in the United States.

The study found that individuals with higher SES tended to have higher levels of
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

digital literacy, as measured by factors such as online skills, media use, and

information seeking behavior. These findings suggest that digital literacy is not only

shaped by individual factors such as age and gender, but also by broader social and

economic factors such as SES. Both studies aim to identify the factors that

contribute to digital literacy and how they differ across different age groups.

Hargittai's study examines how digital literacy evolves over time and how it varies

across different life stages, while our study focuses on understanding the

components of digital literacy that contribute to its overall competence level among

different age groups.

The study identifies several factors that influence an individual's digital literacy

skills. Firstly, the level of exposure to digital technologies in childhood has a

significant impact on digital literacy skills in later life. Children who have greater

access to digital technologies and are encouraged to use them tend to develop

stronger digital literacy skills. Secondly, education plays a crucial role in the

development of digital literacy skills. Formal education can provide individuals with

the necessary knowledge and skills to use digital technologies effectively. However,

informal education and learning through personal experience can also contribute to

the development of digital literacy skills. Thirdly, socio-economic status can impact

an individual's access to digital technologies and their ability to develop digital

literacy skills. People from higher socio-economic backgrounds generally have

greater access to digital technologies and are more likely to have received formal

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

education on digital literacy, whereas those from lower socio-economic backgrounds

may not have the same access to resources and opportunities. Lastly, age can also

influence an individual's digital literacy skills. Younger generations tend to have

grown up with digital technologies and are therefore more comfortable using them,

whereas older individuals may have had less exposure to digital technologies and

may require more support and training to develop their digital literacy skills.

Overall, the research highlights the importance of early exposure, education,

socio-economic status, and age in shaping an individual's digital literacy skills across

the life course. Understanding these factors can help policymakers and educators

develop effective strategies to promote digital literacy and bridge the digital divide.

Factors influencing digital literacy among university students in Saudi Arabia:

An empirical investigation

The research paper "Factors influencing digital literacy among university

students in Saudi Arabia: An empirical investigation" by Alzahrani & Alshehri (2021), 

examines the factors that impact digital literacy among university students in Saudi

Arabia. Digital literacy is the ability to effectively navigate and utilize digital

technologies for communication, information access, and knowledge creation. The

study is conducted using an empirical investigation approach, which involves

collecting data through surveys and interviews with a sample of university students

in Saudi Arabia. The study explores various factors that may affect the digital literacy

of students, such as access to technology, exposure to digital media, digital skills,

motivation, and cultural factors.

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

The study by Alzahrani and Alshehri examined the relationship between

digital literacy and demographic factors such as age and gender, which are also key

factors that may influence digital literacy among different age groups. The study

found that older students had lower digital literacy scores, and females had lower

scores than males. These findings are consistent with previous research that has

shown age and gender to be significant predictors of digital literacy (e.g., Gilster,

1997). They also examined the relationship between digital literacy and academic

majors. They found that students majoring in computer-related fields had higher

scores than those in other majors.

The findings of the study suggest that access to technology and exposure to

digital media are significant predictors of digital literacy among university students in

Saudi Arabia. Students who have access to technology and are exposed to digital

media are more likely to develop digital literacy skills. The study also finds that digital

skills and motivation play a crucial role in enhancing digital literacy among university

students in Saudi Arabia. Students who possess digital skills and have a strong

motivation to learn and use digital technologies are more likely to be digitally literate.

Finally, the study highlights the influence of cultural factors on digital literacy among

university students in Saudi Arabia. Factors such as gender, age, and cultural

background may impact the way students perceive and utilize digital technologies.

In conclusion, the research paper sheds light on the factors affecting digital

literacy among university students in Saudi Arabia. The study provides valuable

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

insights into the key determinants of digital literacy and can help educational

institutions and policymakers to design effective strategies to enhance digital literacy

among university students in the country.

Strategies to Address Digital Divide

Digital divide framework: online learning in developing countries during the

COVID-19 lockdown

The article by Mathrani, Sarvesh, and Umer (2021) highlights the digital

inequalities that emerged during the COVID-19 lockdown in five developing

countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan. The study presents

a digital divide framework that encompasses three analytical perspectives: structure,

cultural practices, and agency, each influenced by five constructs: communities,

time, location, social context, and sites of practice. The authors find that structural

issues are a major barrier to access, with limited availability of digital media and

supporting services. Additionally, gendered discriminatory rules in cultural practices

lead to added household responsibilities and greater stress for female students.

These factors impact learner agency and hinder students' ability to maximize their

learning outcomes. The authors suggest that policy-makers can use their framework

to plan initiatives that bridge the digital divide and set up equitable gendered learning

policies. This study provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by

developing countries in achieving digital inclusion and offers guidance on potential

solutions. (Mathrani et al., 2021).

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

The findings of this study emphasize the urgent need to address the digital

divide in developing countries, particularly in the context of crises such as the

COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of access to digital media and supporting services

has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, particularly for female students who are

more likely to be placed lower on the digital divide access scale. This not only limits

their access to online learning programs but also has a negative impact on their

overall learning outcomes. Therefore, policy-makers should prioritize initiatives

aimed at bridging the digital divide and promoting equitable gendered learning

policies. Such initiatives should not only focus on providing access to digital media

but also address cultural practices and societal contexts that perpetuate gender-

based discrimination and hinder students' agency in maximizing their learning

outcomes. By taking these steps, education systems in developing countries can

become more resilient and responsive to crises, ensuring that all students have

access to quality education regardless of their socio-economic status or gender.

The Digital Divide in Health-Related Technology Use: The Significance of

Race/Ethnicity

According to Mitchell, U. A., Chebli, P. G., Ruggiero, L., & Muramatsu, N.

(2018) Health-related technology has the potential to improve the health and quality

of life of diverse populations, including older adults. However, there is a lack of

understanding of whether the use of technology for managing health differs by

race/ethnicity among older adults. Previous research has identified a "digital divide"

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

between the young and the old, but it is unclear whether there are racial/ethnic

disparities in health-related technology use among older Americans. This study

aimed to fill this knowledge gap by using nationally representative data to

characterize racial/ethnic differences in health-related technology use among

community-dwelling older Americans. 

The authors analyzed data from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study

(HRS), a nationally representative longitudinal study of adults aged 50 years and

older in the United States. They focused on technology use related to health

management, including the use of online health information, mobile health apps, and

telemedicine. The results showed that older racial and ethnic minorities were less

likely than whites to use certain technologies when managing their health.

Specifically, compared to whites, Blacks and Hispanics were less likely to use

mobile health apps and telemedicine, while Asian Americans were less likely to use

online health information. 

The findings of this study have important implications for reducing health

disparities. Health-related technology has the potential to improve health outcomes

and reduce disparities in access to healthcare. However, the "digital divide" is not

limited to age, but also extends to race/ethnicity. To ensure that health-related

technology interventions are effective in reducing health disparities, it is important to

understand the patterns of technology use across racially and ethnically diverse

populations. This study highlights the need for tailored interventions aimed at

improving minority health and eliminating health disparities, which should consider

the patterns of health-related technology use among older Americans.

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

Schools overcoming the digital divide: in depth analyses towards

organizational resilience in the computer and information literacy domain

According to Kerstin Drossel, Birgit Eickelmann & Mario Vennemann (2020)

The integration of technology in education has presented new challenges in the

development of students' digital skills. The International Computer and Information

Literacy Study (IEA-ICILS 2018) has identified significant social disparities in

computer and information literacy among grade 8 students. Despite this, many

schools, especially those in socioeconomically challenged areas, have shown an

active engagement in supporting students' digital literacy and designing innovative

learning processes with ICT. Some schools have demonstrated high levels of

achievement in domains such as reading literacy and mathematics, despite their

disadvantaged student bodies, and are considered organizationally resilient. This

study aims to investigate the typology of these organizationally resilient schools

concerning computer and information literacy, according to selected school and

teacher characteristics.

The study uses representative samples from IEA-ICILS 2018 to identify

organizationally resilient schools using plausible values of students' achievement

measures and their family's socio-economic status. Latent profile analyses (LPA) are

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

then used to develop a typology of organizationally resilient schools by employing

input and process indicators at the school level that have been proven relevant for

implementation through existing empirical research. The resulting typology allocates

the resilient schools into three categories characterized by different school-level

factors.

The international comparison of the data gathered by IEA-ICILS 2018 shows

that the phenomenon of organizational resilience is present in the domain of

computer and information literacy. However, the proportion of resilient schools varies

considerably between countries. This study contributes to the understanding of the

relationship between schools, teachers, and technology in promoting digital literacy

and addressing the social disparities in students' digital skills. It highlights the

importance of identifying and supporting organizationally resilient schools in their

efforts to develop students' digital literacy.

SYNTHESIS

As technology continues to become more and more ingrained in daily life, the

number of publications on digital literacy has grown almost exponentially and they all

come back to one specific question: "Why is there a need to become "digitally"

literacy and not just literate in today's digital world? Many research studies have

been done to evaluate people's digital literacy with the use of quantitative methods,

some studies have made a comprehensive review of the literature related to their

digital literacy. 
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

The cited studies in this chapter tackle the different concept, understanding,

ideas, generalization or conclusions related to the present study which serves as the

researchers’ guide in developing the overall study. Further study on the assessment

of digital literacy among different age groups relied primarily on the concepts

interpreted in these related studies.

The various studies conducted by Choi et. al, are comparable to the current

study in that they both aim to identify and critically appraise studies assessing digital

literacy. Both studies evaluate the diversity of users' ability to perform and use

technology. But nonetheless, they vary in a way that their study focused only on

older adults, whereas the present study concentrated on various ages coming from

different generations.

Aside from that, Heri’s study is similar to the present study because both

studies seek to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of digital literacy. The

present study wants to assess digital competence among different age groups

similarly, the study of Heri highlights how young students were very digital literate

and how being digital literate helped the learners develop. However, the present

study includes variation of performances in various ages which differ to this study

which only focuses on the young learners. Also this study was made focusing  on

teachers implementing digital literacy strategies for young learners on the other hand

the present study will merely focus on assessing digital competence. 

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

 The study of Chiluwa and Samson highlights the gap between rhetoric and

reality in digital literacy initiatives in Africa. Despite efforts to promote digital literacy

in Africa, the study suggests that there is still a significant digital divide in terms of

access, usage, and skills. This is directly related to our study as we are examining

how the components of digital literacy contribute to overall competence levels

among different age groups, and how these components are influenced by factors

such as education and training. Overall, both studies provide important insights into

the factors that affect digital literacy and how they vary across different contexts. Our

study on assessing the structure of digital literacy competence among different age

groups contributes to the broader discussion on digital literacy, while Chiluwa and

Samson's study highlights the need to consider the specific challenges and

opportunities related to digital literacy in Africa. Both emphasize the importance of

understanding the context and factors that shape digital literacy. Our study focuses

on different age groups, while Chiluwa and Samson's study examines digital literacy

in the African context. Together, these studies provide valuable insights into the

challenges and opportunities related to promoting digital literacy and bridging the

digital divide.

Hargittai argues that digital literacy is a dynamic process that evolves over

time as individuals gain experience and knowledge in using digital technologies. The

study suggests that there are different stages of digital literacy that correspond to

different life stages, such as childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. This is directly

related to our study on assessing the structure of digital literacy competence among

different age groups because we are examining how the components of digital
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

literacy differ across different age groups and how they contribute to overall

competence levels.

In addition to the study of Hargittai, both studies emphasize the importance of

understanding the context in which digital literacy is acquired and used. Hargittai's

study highlights the role of social factors, such as family, peers, and institutions, in

shaping digital literacy across the life course. Similarly, our study examines how

social factors, such as education and training, influence the components of digital

literacy among different age groups. To conclude, both studies provide valuable

insights into the factors that contribute to digital literacy and how they differ across

different age groups and life stages. Understanding these factors is essential for

promoting digital inclusion and bridging the digital divide. As technology continues to

advance, digital literacy skills are becoming increasingly important, and our study,

along with Hargittai's study, provides valuable insights into the context and factors

that shape digital literacy across the life course.

Similar to the current study, Cagasan et. al (2020) assesses the technological

competence of individuals of various ages. Both were tested at different ages to see

how each variety of age group performed and how varying ages affected

performance differences. Both studies aimed to close gaps by creating tests that

could assess one's level of digital literacy.  In spite of that they had differences on

how the study was examined. The study of Cagasan et. al focused only on students

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

from primary schools to secondary schools whereas the present study covers a

wider range of subjects and people of various generations.

Furthermore, studies of Mathrani, Sarvesh, Umer, and Drossel, with her

colleagues, are related to our study as they were trying to highlight how vital it is to

address the digital divide among students by identifying the socio - demographic

factors that influence their ability to maximize their learning outcome. Nonetheless,

the latter studies differ from the current study because they had a different research

population. The mentioned studies were only focused to address the issue among

students only, while our current study involves different demographic age groups

which the researchers will gather data from by assessing their digital literacy

competence. 

Lastly, the study of Mitchell, Chebli,  Ruggiero, and  Muramatsu was also

focused on addressing the existing digital divide caused by various factors but differ

on the research environment. This study was more likely to have important

implications for reducing health disparities. This study used nationally representative

data to evaluate racial/ethnic differences through the use of health-related

technologies among older Americans who live in communities in an attempt to

bridge this knowledge gap. This is directly related to our study as it examined the

digital literacy of people with different ages and therefore concluded that the "digital

divide" is not just limited to age, but also extends to race/ethnicity. 

In conclusion, the related studies that have been presented have a significant

relationship with the current study in that both discuss the factors influencing the
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

level of digital literacy among various age groups and the strategies for bridging the

digital divide that emerges in different regions as a result of these factors. All are

beneficial in doing the current research study. However, in comparison to the

previous studies stated, the current study will be different in terms of participants,

population, as well as its scope and delimitations.

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methodology used for collecting the data for the

study. In light of this, the study population, sample and sampling procedure, data

collection techniques, data collection procedure, administration of the survey

instrument, and data analysis are provided. It also gives details about the population

and sampling techniques used for the research.

Research Design

The researchers adopted a descriptive research design, which according to

McCombes (2019), is a design that aims to describe a population, situation, or

phenomenon accurately and systematically. Congruent with the present study, the

researchers’ general objective is to describe the phenomenon of technological and

digital literacy of people, more specifically the residents of Batangas City where the

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

study was conducted; thus, it was determined that a descriptive research design is

most suitable for the study. 

Subjects of the Study

The researchers used eighty (80) respondents from Batangas City, making it

twenty (20) respondents for each different generation group to assess their digital

literacy competence and get more accurate results. The participants were chosen

given that their ages fall within the different age groups set by the researchers which

is ages 10 to 58 years old. As previously stated, the researchers used generational

age groups to easily differentiate the ages in further analyses. Demographic cohort

terms such as Generation Alpha are defined as those born from 2010 - present, Gen

Z for people born between 1997 to 2012, Millennials for people born between 1981

to 1996, Gen X for people born between 1965 to 1980 will be used (Beresford

Research, 2021). Convenience sampling approach was used in the study to find

respondents that are accessible considering the current situation and the threats and

risks being posed by the post - COVID pandemic to both the researchers as well as

the respondents while ensuring that they do not break any safety protocols and are

safe while conducting the research. 

Data Gathering Instrument

The researchers will utilize Likert scale to assess by what extent do the

respondents agree or disagree with a particular statement aligned with each of the

research questions of this study. The researchers will use a 4-point scale to translate

the perspective of the respondents as “strongly disagree, disagree, agree, and

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

strongly agree”; by 1 being the lowest and 4 being the highest. The questionnaire

has a total of forty (40) statements and was divided into 3 sections - the first section

for informed consent and ethical considerations and the remaining two sections

designated for the objectives of this study.

The first section found in the instrument contains the informed consent form

to let the respondents understand why the research is being done and what their

participation will involve. It also contains the general guidelines for all the questions

contained in the instrument. Moreover, it discusses the purpose of the study,

participant involvement, duration, participation, risks, benefits, and confidentiality,

contact information of the researchers and, consent, and the eligibility of the

participant to ensure that the respondents are provided sufficient information in a

language which can be easily understood by them.

The next section is divided into two (2) sub-parts namely knowledge in using

technology and self - assessment. For the first sub-part of this section, the

respondents are asked regarding their knowledge in terms of technology that is

further divided into two sections: information skills and communication skills. The

second sub-part is self - assessment that is also categorized into two sections:

operational skills and formal skills. This was done to classify each respondent’s

answer dependent on the specific objectives. Generally, the second section of the

instrument focuses on assessing how digitally literate are the respondents in the

mentioned aspects. The respondents will be given 4 scales to express their answers

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

on the given statements. Furthermore, these scales will help them to express to

what extent they agree or disagree on the given statement.

The last part of the instrument contains ten (10) statements intended to

assess the perception and understanding of the respondents regarding the possible

solutions and strategies that can be used to address the knowledge gap surrounding

the overall literacy of the respondents in Batangas City. This section is designated to

answer the objective 5 of this study. The respondents are also given four scales to

express their answers in the given statements in this section.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers used the convenience sampling approach to find the

respondents, given the fact that they are in line with the criteria set by the

researchers. By definition, convenience sampling is a nonprobability sampling

method in which the sample is taken from the population which is close at hand. The

researchers sent the informed consent form asking for their participation in the

research study. After that, is the discussion of the protocol to the participants

wherein it states that there will be no disclosure of any information for their security

and privacy of every respondent. The researchers received the approvals from the

participants and so, the survey officially commenced. The next step is handing out

the survey, which contains the personal information and questionnaires designated

to answer the objectives of the study. Then, the respondents answered the

questions in accordance to its arrangement in the questionnaire including the follow

up questions that can come up based on the respondent’s answers. The

 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

researchers did not force the respondents to answer the certain questions if they did

not want to. The researchers made an assurance that the research participants have

an avenue to share their insights and experiences regarding the study without fear of

distortions. After answering the questions provided by the researchers, the next step

was the manifestation of gratitude from the researchers to their respondents for their

kind cooperation. Lastly, the gathered responses from the respondents were

subjected to data analysis and interpretation by the researchers to get the results.

Ethical Considerations

The researchers asked the selected individuals who fit with the given age

criteria, who are the respondents of the study, if they are willing to participate in the

survey. The researchers explained the research protocols that the participation of

the respondents will be voluntary which means that they are not forced to answer

the questions related to the study and they can refuse any time if they feel

uncomfortable, otherwise respondents can freely explain their answers through their

decisions and opinions about the study they are involved in. The respondents who

are minors at the age of 18 were asked parental consent. It was also discussed that

respondents’ identity will be hidden and the gathered data will not be disclosed to

the public. The researchers ensured that the personal information will not be

revealed and will only use the answer in analyzing the data of the study to come up

with the result. The details gathered from the survey must be honestly stated. The

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

researchers only seek to collect data for the study and not to cause damage to the

respondents.

Statistical Treatment of Data

The data that will be gathered by the researchers will be classified as ordinal

data as it is very impossible to measure the difference between each scale

(Statistics How To, 2021). The response choices have a meaningful order but the

numbers themselves are not meaningful. The researchers will be using weighted

mean in analyzing the gathered data in order to summarize the general trend and

make the vague definitions of the variables clearer. Additionally, using this statistical

tool will help the researchers in calculating a theoretically expected outcome where

each variable has a different probability of occurring or responses.

1. Average Weighted Mean. It involves multiplying each data point in a set by a

value specified by some property of whatever contributed to the data point.

The greater the sample size in a study, the more accurate the effect size

identified in that study as an estimate of the impact size in the population will

be.

The researchers will use weighted mean to analyze the gathered data

with the formula:

Average Weighted Mean:

[4 ( f )+3 ( f ) +2 ( f ) +1 ( f ) ]
AWM=
n
 Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [email protected] | Website Address: http://www.batstate-u.edu.ph

Where:

AWM = weighted mean/average

n = total number of responses per item

f = frequency

2. Likert Scale. It is a form of rating scale that is used to assess attitudes and

opinions. Participants were asked to rate items based on their level of agree-

ment using this scale. Likert is a five (or seven) point scale that allows people

to express how strongly they agree or disagree with a given proposition. Lik-

ert scales are widely used in survey research because they make it simple to

conceptualize perceptions or personality traits.

In giving the verbal interpretation and descriptive analysis based on the

weighted mean, the following scales are used:

Strongly Agree (SA) = 3.45 - 4.0

Agree (A) = 2.30 - 3.44

Disagree (D) = 1.63 - 2.29

Strongly Disagree (SD) = 1.0 - 1.62

Leading Innovations, Transforming Lives, Building the Nation

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The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
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Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
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