The Mediating Effect of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship Between Digital Literacy and Digital Citizenship

This study examines the relationships between digital literacy, life satisfaction, and digital citizenship to enhance and foster digital citizenship. Additionally, it analyzes the mediating effect of life satisfaction on the relationship between digital literacy and digital citizenship. From November 4 to 20, 2024, data were collected via an online survey from 219 humanities and social sciences students at K University in the Seoul metropolitan area. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 for Pearson correlation and Hayes' PROCESS Macro 4.2 for mediation analysis, with statistical significance verified through bootstrapping. The principal findings of this study are as follows. First, digital literacy, life satisfaction, and digital citizenship all showed significant positive correlations. Second, higher levels of digital literacy were associated with higher levels of digital citizenship. Third, higher digital literacy levels corresponded to greater life satisfaction. Fourth, life satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between digital literacy and digital citizenship. To enhance digital citizenship among university students, it is essential to improve not only digital literacy but also life satisfaction. This underscores the need for specific and systematic policies that can simultaneously foster digital literacy education and promote life satisfaction.