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Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: A Person-Centred Approach to Bridging South Korea’s Digital Divide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2025

Myunghyun Yoo  and
Jinju Lee Open the ORCID record for Jinju Lee [Opens in a new window]
Myunghyun Yoo
Affiliation:
Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
Jinju Lee*
Affiliation:
Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
*
Corresponding author: Jinju Lee; Email: pearlee87@gmail.com
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Abstract

This study employed a person-centred approach to investigate the digital divide in South Korea and its impact on life satisfaction among individuals. Six latent profiles were identified based on the following factors: digital device literacy, social capital, and digital self-efficacy. These factors denote different levels of the digital divide, highlighting the multifaceted nature of this issue and the importance of considering multiple factors that contribute to inequality. Additionally, sociodemographic variables such as age, gender, and educational level were found to play a role in determining group membership, emphasising the need to understand the underlying causes of the divide. Variations in life satisfaction among the groups emphasise their different effects on well-being. The findings can be used to inform targeted policies and interventions to bridge the digital divide in South Korea. To that end, this study provides data for designing tailored education, social networking, and support policies for vulnerable groups.

Keywords

Digital dividelatent profile analysis (LPA)life satisfactionSouth Koreathe resource and appropriation theory
Type
Article
Information
Social Policy and Society , First View , pp. 1 - 19
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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