Analysis of Predictive Factors Affecting on Digital Literacy: Comparison of MZ Generation with Older Generation

This study analyzes differences in digital literacy of Koreans between the MZ and older generations, and investigate affecting factors for each group.Especially, the purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between demographic variables, various media-use, the use of smart devices, active cognitive disposition and online based activities and an individual's digital literacy competency.Those between 20 and 39 years old were classified as the MZ generation, and those between 40 and 65 years old were classified as the older generation.Data from the "Korean Media Panel Data 2022" were used.1,885 of the MZ generation and 2,700 of the older generation were analyzed.First, the results revealed differences in digital literacy between groups, and differences in factors affecting digital literacy by generation.Second, 'media participation level', 'online based activities' are the factors that commonly affect the digital literacy of the two generations group, those affecting the MZ generation are more distinct.Education level, housing type, income level, active cognitive disposition, the use of smart devices were influential factors for the older generation, which differentiated them from the MZ generation.This study suggests theoretical implications of results, and discussed suggestions for future research and study's limitations.