A Longitudinal Analysis of Digital Literacy of College Students: The Use of Latent Growth Model

The purpose of this study was to examine the change patten of college students’ digital literacy by using the data of ‘Korean Media Panel Data for the 12th(2021), 13the(2021), 14th(2023) year conducted by Korea Information Society Development Institute(KISDI). Four sub-competencies of information utilization, information acquisition, media utilization, and personal information recognition were selected as digital literacy competencies. The latent growth model was utilized to analyze longitudinal change with influence of independent variables. The major findings of this research were as followings. First, college student’s digital literacy showed linearly increased. Second, it was confirmed that the major(engineering sciences), SNS(social network service) and OTT(over-the-top media service) consumption behavior had a positive effect on the initial level and change in digital literacy, while gender had no significant differences in digital literacy. Third, the predictors(major, SNS and OTT consumption) had significant effects on information utilization, information acquisition. Based on the results of study, we suggest that it is necessary to care of non-science and Engineering Students. Also, it is necessary to provide opportunities and programs for individual student to use digital platforms and online contents.