The
digitalization level of vulnerable groups compared to general population
increases (76.2%, 0.8%p↑), with the percentage of smartphone overdependence
risk groups decreasing (23.6%, △0.6%p)
The Ministry of
Science and ICT (MSIT; Minister Lee Jong-Ho) announced the 2022 survey result
on the digital divide, accessibility, and overdependence on smartphones to
assess the current status of digital-related issues in Korean society.
The survey released
this time consists of ① the
“Digital Divide Survey,” which examines the level of digitalization among
vulnerable groups, ② the
“Web Accessibility Survey,” which examines the level of website access and
usage for people with disabilities and the elderly, and ③ the “Smartphone Overdependence Survey,” which examines
the level of dependence on smart devices and services among Korean citizens.
Results showed that
the digital divide and web accessibility levels improved over the last year,
and the percentage of smartphone overdependence also slightly edged down.
< Key Survey
Results of Digital-related Issues >
The “Digital Divide Survey” is a
government-approved statistic that examines the level of digital access and
usage of vulnerable groups (low-income individuals, people with disabilities,
farmers and fishermen, and the elderly) compared to the general population. The
survey was conducted on 15,000 people* in 17 cities and provinces nationwide.
* 7,000 general citizens (including 2,300 elderly),
2,200 each for people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and farmers
and fishermen, 700 each for North Korean defectors and marriage immigrants
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※ Digitalization level (Total) = Access level (20%) +
Capability level (40%) + Usage level (40%)
* It means the digitalization level of
vulnerable groups compared to the general population when the general
population’s digitalization level is 100.
o Access level: Whether they own computer
or mobile devices, whether they have Internet access
o Capability level: Basic computer and
mobile device usage skills
o Usage level: Whether they actually use
the Internet, the diversity in using the Internet services, the level of
advanced usage
|
The result of the
digital divide survey showed that the digitalization level of vulnerable groups
in 2022 was 76.2%, up 0.8%p compared to last year’s 75.4%. It was the fifth
consecutive year to increase.
※ Digitalization level
for the past five years: 68.9% (2018)→69.9% (2019)→72.7% (2020) → 75.4% (2021) → 76.2%
(2022)
By sector, the access
level recorded 96.0% (1.6%p↑), the capability level recorded 64.5% (0.7%p↑), and the usage level recorded 78.0% (0.4%p↑), all showing increases compared to last year.
By group, the
digitalization level showed growth in all groups: the elderly recorded 69.9%
(0.8%p↑), farmers and
fishermen recorded 78.9% (0.8%p↑), people with disabilities 82.2% (0.5%p↑), and low-income individuals recorded 95.6% (0.2%p↑).
The “Web
Accessibility Survey” measures the level of compliance with the accessibility
guidelines** by randomly selecting 1,000 websites from eight industries* that
have a relatively high frequency of website usage.
* Selected from 21
industries on the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (Wholesale and retail
trade, Accommodation and food service activities, Information and
communication, Financial and insurance activities, Real estate activities,
Education, Human health and social work activities, and Arts, sports and
recreation related services)
** “Korean Web Content Accessibility Guidelines“ (National standards, KS X OT0003)
It was found that the
average web accessibility score was 60.9 points, up 0.1 points from last year,
showing a continued growth trend from 2019.
※ 53.7
points (2019) → 60.7 points (2020) → 60.8 points (2021) → 60.9 points (2022)
By business size, as
the number of employees increased, so did its web accessibility level.
The “Smartphone
Overdependence Survey” is a
government-approved statistic that investigates smartphone usage status, such as the ability to
control the hours spent on smartphones and whether smartphones lead to health
or daily life problems, and identifies
the status of risk groups. It is
conducted on 10,000 households in 17
cities and provinces nationwide through one-on-one interviews.
|
※ Smartphone
overdependence: The “smartphone overdependence level” is calculated by the following
criteria, based on the states that can arise by being overdependence on
smartphones: ①
smartphones are given the highest priority in daily life (salience), ② the ability to
control usage decreases (control failure), and ③ physical, psychological, and
social problems arise (problematic consequence).
* Based on the score range for each age
group, they are divided into the normal group → potential risk group →
high-risk group
|
In 2022, those overdependence (high-risk +
potential risk groups) on smartphones was 23.6%, down 0.6%p compared to the
last year (24.2%).
※ Overdependence percentage: 23.3% (2020)
→ 24.2% (2021) → 23.6% (2022)
By age group, children (aged 3 to 9)
showed a decline to 26.7% (-1.7%p), adults (aged 20 to 59) to 22.8% (-0.5%p),
and those in their 60s to 15.3% (-2.2%p), but the youth (aged 10 to 19) showed
growth compared to last year by recording 40.1% (+3.1%p).
< Yearly Smartphone Overdependence Percentage By
Age Group >
When the youth risk
group and normal group were asked what content they used more this year than
last year, the risk group showed higher percentages for games, movies, TV, and
videos.
|
< Content
Type with Increased Usage Compared to Last Year (Youth)>
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The Ministry of Science and ICT is promoting various
policies, such as the operation of the Internet Addiction Prevention Centers
(18 locations nationwide to educate 500,000 people annually), preventive
education, and campaigns to resolve adverse effects of digitalization,
including smartphone overdependence. Those interested in counseling or
preventative education can receive guidance by calling 1599-0075 or
visiting the website (www.iapc.or.kr).
A more detailed survey version can be
downloaded from the Ministry of Science and ICT website (www.msit.go.kr)
or the National Information Society
Agency website (www.nia.or.kr).
For further information, please contact
the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4033, E-mail: yunay@korea.kr)
of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Please refer to the attached PDF.
