Social damage cost estimation model for mobile digital divide

Abstract

The previous studies on the digital divide mainly consisted of comparative studies among groups according to education, age, occupation, and region. However, the digital divide is expected to vary depending on the individual situation. Therefore, this study suggests a model that calculates social damage cost of mobile divide at individual level based on individual cognitive value. According to this model, we conduct empirical verification by social damage types. For the empirical analysis of this study, 800 questionnaire data were collected. Based on the collected data, the cost of social damage caused by the individual mobile digital divide per person was estimated to be about 120,000 KRW, and the social cost of about 5.6 trillion KRW was calculated as a result of applying it to the population of South Korea. In the detailed analysis, males felt more harm than females, and people in their 40s or older felt more vulnerable than those in their 30s or less. Also, non-metropolitan area residents felt more damage than metropolitan area residents. In addition, the results of social damage analysis showed that the mobile digital divide was more significant in social participation activities, family issues and interpersonal relationships, and medical services. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the study of mobile digital divide and to the development of meaningful policies.