#12471. The long-term effects of digital literacy programs for disadvantaged populations: analyzing participants’ perceptions

August 2026publication date
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Journal’s subject area:
Communication;
Library and Information Sciences;
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Abstract:
This study aims to examine the long-term effects of an Israeli digital literacy government program for disadvantaged populations. Participants in the program were interviewed about the effects of participating in the program, their experiences and satisfaction, in retrospect, a year after they completed the program. The main reasons for joining the program included cognitive motivations, mainly interest to become familiar with internet applications, followed by employment aspiration. Positive benefits from participation included accumulated knowledge, confidence in using technology, empowerment and enhanced sense of self-efficacy. Interviewees also reported that as they could not practice or communicate with instructors once they completed the program, a significant portion of the accumulated gains faded. Digital technologies constitute key infrastructure to facilitate public participation, as well as for gaining social, political and economic capital. Therefore, there is a significant social value in reducing digital inequality by increasing digital literacy of disadvantaged populations, i.e. citizens with low socioeconomic status and low digital literacy. This study sheds light on the benefits gained from such programs, as perceived by past participants
Keywords:
Digital divide (s); Digital inequality; Digital literacy; Interviews; Media literacy

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