Tracing the digital divide in Sweden: a scoping review

Abstract Sweden is well-known for its digital landscape and high Internet usage. However, a digital divide persists as society undergoes digitalization. This study adopted a scoping review method to explore the digital divide in Sweden over the past decade. The search identified 167 articles, with 37 selected for review. The research questions aimed to identify the factors influencing the digital divide and the most affected demographics. The results highlight two key factors: challenges and suggestions. Additionally, individuals aged 65 and over were the most frequently discussed demographic group, appearing in 14 articles. This study discusses the need for caution regarding potential bias within this demographic group, while also emphasizing the importance of service providers’ perspectives and practical design solutions. For future research, the study suggests comparing countries with varying levels of digital adoption and openness, as well as exploring new challenges arising from the emergence of new technologies such as generative artificial intelligence.