Journal of Guangxi Teachers Education University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition) ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (5): 79-89.doi: 10.16088/j.issn.1001-6597.2025.05.009

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Construction and Evaluation of Citizens' Digital Literacy Indicator System

LIN Li1, YU Jun-bo2   

  1. 1. School of Public Finance and Public Administration, Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, Tianjin 300222, China;
    2. School of Government, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
  • Received:2024-04-22 Online:2025-09-05 Published:2025-09-18

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Abstract: The development of emerging digital technologies has not only accelerated the digital transformation of government and society, but also established fundamental requirements for cultivating and enhancing citizens' digital literacy. Employing an analytical framework combining value rationality and instrumental rationality, along with the competency iceberg theory, this study constructs an assessment model for Chinese citizens' digital literacy. The model encompasses latent cognitive qualities, explicit skills and application abilities, comprising three dimensions (digital cognitive literacy, digital skills literacy, and digital application literacy), 12 secondary indicators, and 31 measurement items. With this indicator system, the study measures and systematically evaluates the overall digital literacy levels of citizens in Jiangsu Province, as well as disparities among demographic groups with an attempt to contribute insights for advancing related theoretical and practical endeavors.

Key words: citizens' digital literacy, index system, digital transformation, digital divide

CLC Number:  D630
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