Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
This study provides an essential bibliometric analysis of digital literacy research for university students, highlighting global trends, key contributions, and critical gaps in the field. Analyzing 2,743 documents published from 1978 to 2023 using Scopus, we employed tools like VOSviewer and Biblioshiny to map knowledge structures and identify key themes. Our findings indicate a significant rise in research output since 2016, establishing digital literacy as a crucial competency for students in e-learning and digital transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic further emphasized this urgency, with keywords such as e-learning and digital tools frequently co-occurring. The increase in open-access publications also represents a vital step toward democratizing knowledge. Key research themes identified include digital literacy, higher education, e-learning, and the digital divide. While the USA, UK, and Spain are leading contributors, developing countries are demonstrating growing interest despite challenges in infrastructure and training. These findings highlight the pressing need for targeted interventions and collaborative efforts to bridge disparities in digital skills and access, empowering all students for success in an increasingly digital world.
Hung et al. (Thu,) studied this question.