Abstract:

The massive penetration of mobile devices and mobile technologies has led to the digital inclusion of some of the groups at risk from digital divide. The data from previous research show that the population aged over 55 years are increasingly beginning to use Internet applications via smartphone. An empirical study defines ease of use as the primary reason for choosing a mobile device instead of a computer by the same target group. The focus of this article is to analyze the effects of using smartphones on the digital divide, digital literacy and informing processes. The target group is the elderly citizens of the society (55+ years) and the study was done in Bulgaria, where the digital divide is still clearly expressed. Research is the basis for defining a relationship between digital skills and opportunities for informing, which in turn determines dependencies between digital and information divide.

Keywords:

Digital divide, information divide, informing, digital literacy, digital skills, smart technologies.