Components of digital literacy as predictors of youth civic engagement and the role of social media news attention: the case of Korea

ABSTRACT

This study examined the multi-component concept of digital literacy as a predictor of civic engagement depending on news attention level among teens. First, it explicated each effect of the four main components of digital literacy such as technical skills, information usage, communication and creation. A nationwide survey of more than 2,500 South Korean students showed that all components but technical skills were significant predictors of various activities of engagement. Information usage was the most salient predictor of posting on social issues and donation, while creation was highly related to volunteering. Next, we tested if there were any salient differences among the low, medium and high-news attention groups. Digital literacy components were significantly related to engagement among high-news attention respondents. In the low-attention group, however, the variables rarely predicted participation. The differences among groups were coherent across various engagement variables. This study demonstrates that frequency and amount of time spent on social media does not automatically guarantee adolescents’ civic engagement. Competence and attitude under the broader umbrella of digital literacy are what really matter. The normative and practical implication for digital literacy education and the function of news regarding the connection between digital literacy and engagement were further discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital literacy
• news attention
• social media
• civic engagement
• youth participation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Youth Policy Institute.

Notes on contributors

Soo Jung Moon

Soo Jung Moon (PhD, University of Texas at Austin) is a professor of mass communications at the University of West Georgia, where she has taught mass media ethics, critical issues in mass communications, and public affairs in reporting. Her research interests include digital literacy, political communication, and new media effects.

Sang Y. Bai

Sang Y. Bai (PhD, University of Texas at Austin), a research fellow at the National Youth Policy Institute, is the director of Youth Media Reseach Center. He received his B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of California, Berkeley and his M.A. in Media Studies from Syracuse University. His research interests include digital literacy, the impact of media on youth, and migrant youth.