What Makes Adults Digitally Literate in Türkiye: An Evaluation by Demographics

ABSTRACT This study examines demographic factors explaining adult digital literacy in Türkiye through a functional literacy approach. Demographics were chosen to examine functional digital literacy because factors such as gender, education and age significantly influence access to and use of digital technologies, making them key predictors of digital literacy. Furthermore, given that digital literacy varies by country and evolves over time, the study's findings, derived from recent large‐scale data, contribute to a structural model offering a comprehensive view of adult digital literacy and emphasising the importance of demographic skill formation. For this purpose, data from TurkStat's survey of 20,580 adults were analysed, incorporating demographic variables as well as constructs on digital, online and privacy‐related activities. Findings indicate that digital literacy is influenced by gender disparities, higher education levels and younger age, aligning with global trends in adult digital literacy. Moreover, digital literacy is most strongly associated with activities involving access to and engagement with digital technologies, potentially reflecting the capital of certain societal groups, while privacy‐related skills appear least related to digital literacy—possibly due to cultural factors and a lack of critical approaches to personal data. These insights offer valuable guidance for adult upskilling initiatives, suggesting that a functional literacy framework based on demographics could support inclusive digital competency development for all adult groups.