Problem
Research questions and friction points this paper is trying to address.
digital literacy
screen time
cross-national differences
ICT self-efficacy
socioeconomic status
Beyond screen time: Explaining cross-national differences in digital literacy through socioeconomic and psychological mechanisms
🤖 AI Summary
This study addresses the inconsistent associations and unclear mechanisms linking screen time to digital competence. Drawing on ICILS 2023 data, it employs multi-group structural equation modeling to systematically examine the effects of socioeconomic background, screen time regulation, and ICT self-efficacy on digital literacy. The findings reveal that ICT self-efficacy serves as a robust cross-national predictor, highlighting the critical mediating role of psychological mechanisms and challenging the limitations of relying solely on screen time metrics. By shifting digital literacy research from a quantity-oriented paradigm toward an integrative understanding, this work provides empirical evidence for optimizing digital learning interventions.
📝 Abstract
This study provides a structural explanation for cross-national variation in the relationship between screen time and digital outcomes. While prior research and large-scale assessments such as ICILS have documented inconsistent associations between screen time and digital competence, the mechanisms underlying these differences remain unclear. Using ICILS 2023 data, this study employs multigroup structural equation modeling to examine the relationships among socioeconomic status, screen time regulation, ICT self-efficacy, and digital literacy outcomes. Results reveal substantial cross-country differences in the effects of screen time regulation. In contrast, ICT self-efficacy emerges as a consistent and robust predictor across all countries. Moreover, screen time regulation influences outcomes indirectly through self-efficacy in some contexts but not others. These findings challenge the use of screen time as a standalone indicator of digital engagement and highlight the importance of psychological mechanisms. By integrating socioeconomic, behavioral, and psychological factors, this study advances a more nuanced understanding of digital competence and moves beyond quantity-based approaches to digital learning.
Innovation
Methods, ideas, or system contributions that make the work stand out.
multigroup structural equation modeling
digital literacy
ICT self-efficacy
screen time regulation
cross-national differences
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