The role of youth in overcoming the digital divide between generational groups

Abstract

One of the main resources of modern society is information and digital technologies for its processing. Access to information, digital products and services helps reduce barriers in an individual’s interaction with the state, organizations, and other individuals, and provides opportunities for personal development and active participation in solving social issues. At the same time, the uneven distribution of information infrastructure, differences in the skills of users when working with digital products, as well as varying degrees of motivation of individuals to work on the Internet form digital divide. Based on the key concepts of digital divide, in September 2022 - April 2023, the authors conducted a sociological study in which residents of the Sverdlovsk region took part. Based on the results of the study, the authors come to the conclusion that age is one of the key factors in the reproduction of digital divide, and therefore digital divide between generations of modern Russian society is relevant. The results of the study demonstrated the leading role of youth in bridging the digital divide between generational groups, since young Internet users have more developed digital skills, and representatives of the older generation are ready to acquire these skills when interacting with youth.