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The Korean Society for Journalism & Communication (KSJCS)
[ Article ]
Korean Journal of Journalism & Communication - Vol. 69, No. 2, pp.110-152
ISSN: 2586-7369 (Online)
Print publication date 30 Apr 2025
Received 06 Dec 2024 Revised 02 Apr 2025 Accepted 03 Apr 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.20879/kjjcs.2025.69.2.003

디지털 전환 시대 고령자 정치 성향 변화 : 세대별 디지털 리터러시와 온라인 사회 참여 종단 비교 분석을 중심으로

박노일** ; 정지연*** ; 박대근****
*차의과학대학교 헬스케어융합학부 부교수 no1park@cha.ac.kr
**홍익대학교 광고홍보학부 교수 jyjeong@hongik.ac.kr
***차의과학대학교 헬스케어융합학부 조교수 dkpark@cha.ac.kr
Changes in Older Adults’ Political Orientation in the Era of Digital Transformation : A Longitudinal Comparative Analysis of Generational Differences in Digital Literacy and Online Social Participation
Park, Nohil** ; Jeong, JiYeon*** ; Park, Dae-Keun****
*Associate Professor, School of Healthcare Convergence, CHA University no1park@cha.ac.kr
**Professor, School of Advertising and Public Relations, Hongik University jyjeong@hongik.ac.kr
***Assistant Professor, School of Healthcare Convergence, CHA University dkpark@cha.ac.kr

초록

한국은 OECD 국가 중 가장 빠르게 고령화와 디지털 전환이 진행되고 있으나, 고령자의 디지털 적응이 삶의 질과 사회 통합에 미치는 영향에 관한 실증적 연구는 부족한 실정이다. 이 연구는 급격한 고령화와 디지털화가 동시에 진행되는 한국 사회에서 고령자의 디지털 리터러시, 온라인 사회 참여, 정치 성향의 변동 추세를 입체적으로 탐색하는 데 목적이 있다. 이를 위해 2020년부터 2023년까지의 한국미디어패널조사(N = 33,332)와 언론수용자조사 데이터(N = 70,249)를 활용하여 55세 이상 고령자 집단과 25~54세 비고령자 집단을 비교 분석한 결과, 고령자 집단의 디지털 리터러시 수준이 높아져 비고령자 집단과의 격차가 줄어든 것으로 나타났다. 온라인 사회 참여에서도 유사한 격차 감소가 관찰되었으며, 고령자 집단의 정치 성향은 중도 진보로 이동하는 추세를 나타냈다. 특히 디지털 리터러시는 온라인 사회 참여에 유의미한 정적 영향을 미쳤으며, 이러한 효과는 45세 이상 연령대에서 가장 두드러졌다. 전 연령대에서 온라인 활동 증가는 진보적 정치 성향과 연관되었으며, 디지털 리터러시가 정치 성향에 미치는 영향은 온라인 사회 참여 변수에 의해 매개되었다. 이 연구는 고령자의 디지털 리터러시 향상과 온라인 활동 증가가 사회적 고립 감소와 적극적 사회 참여 촉진으로 이어질 수 있음을 시사하며, 고령자 집단의 정치 성향이 고정적이고 동질적인 보수 집단이라는 기존의 인식을 재고할 필요성을 제기한다. 이러한 연구 결과는 초고령 사회에 대응하는 정책 수립과 사회 통합 전략 마련을 위한 실증적 기초 자료로 활용될 수 있다.

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic interplay among digital literacy, online social participation, and political orientation among older adults in a rapidly aging Korean context. Drawing on data collected from 2020 to 2023 by the Korea Media Panel Survey (KMPS) and the Korea Press Foundation Audience Survey (KPFAS), this research employs statistical matching to examine evolving digital literacy among individuals aged 55 and older relative to those aged 25–54, and how these shifts relate to online social engagement and political preferences. The findings indicate that older adults are enhancing their digital competencies, narrowing the gap with younger cohorts. Participants aged 55–64 demonstrated improvements in smartphone usage, online information searches, and interactive platform engagement. This increase in digital literacy among older adults has been accompanied by a rise in online social participation, which encompasses activities such as posting on forums, sharing information through social media, and engaging in virtual communities. These changes suggest that older adults are moving beyond passive media consumption toward more active content creation and communication in digital spaces.

A salient outcome of the analyses is the gradual shift in political orientation among older groups, commonly regarded as conservative. Enhanced digital literacy and higher levels of online participation appear to foster exposure to diverse perspectives, prompting a more moderate or even progressive stance over time. This pattern supports theories positing that technological adaptation can modify long-standing political leanings by increasing access to multiple viewpoints and stimulating critical reflection. However, for individuals aged 75 and above, the digital divide remains pronounced. Many in this age bracket face barriers to fully utilizing information and communication technologies, underscoring the need for policy interventions and targeted education programs that address their specific learning processes and possible limitations in mobility.

Theoretically, this study challenges the notion that older adults are a monolithic conservative bloc by demonstrating that greater digital literacy and online civic engagement can reshape their political attitudes and behaviors. Practically, the findings underscore the need for tailored digital-literacy programs for distinct older cohorts, ensuring that the oldest adults are not left behind. Despite using a single-item measure of political orientation and a short four-year window, this research highlights the need for continued, long-term examinations of how digital adaptation influences sociopolitical change among older adults. By providing empirical evidence on how digital literacy shapes political behaviors, this study contributes meaningfully to ongoing discussions on intergenerational integration, informed citizenship, and policies crucial for a super-aged future in Korea.

Keywords:

older adults, digital literacy, social participation, political orientation, digital divide

키워드:

고령자, 디지털 리터러시, 사회 참여, 정치 성향, 디지털 격차

Acknowledgments

The graduate students Myeong-Jun Lee and Ji-Hyuk Jung from CHA University’s Graduate School (Department of AI Healthcare Convergence) participated in this paper as research assistants(이 논문에는 차의과학대학교 일반대학원 AI헬스케어융합학과 이명준, 정지혁 원생이 연구보조원으로 참여하였다).

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