Addressing digital inequality: Device use among adults with low literacy in the digital age

This article examines the use of digital devices among adults with low literacy proficiency across nine European countries at different stages of the digital transformation process. Previous research on the digital divide has identified age, gender, and ethnicity as key factors influencing digital inequality. Using survey data from PIAAC 2023, this study examines which digital devices are frequently used by adults with low literacy skills, taking the sociodemographic factors of age, gender, and first language into account. The results reveal that differing levels of digitalisation at international level do not explain differences in device use. Across all countries, adults aged 55 years or older with low literacy skills use digital devices less frequently, while in the age groups 16 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years there is almost no difference between adults with low literacy skills and those with higher literacy skills in the frequent use of smartphones. Additionally, adults whose first language is not the test language in PIAAC 2023 with low literacy use mobile devices more frequently than those with higher literacy in some countries. In adult education, this could be addressed through an approach that considers learners’ digital literacy needs.