Exploring the Influence of Digital Life on Women's Social Engagement: The Role of Digital Literacy

Abstract

The research investigates how digital life affects women’s social interaction by exploring digital literacy as a mediating variable. The study used 240 women from North India as participants with diverse occupations through a quantitative methodology. The study applied Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse the data. Digital life creates positive effects on both social engagement processes and digital literacy comprehension, along with digital literacy acting as an important factor for enhancing social engagement. Digital literacy serves as a connector between digital life and social engagement because it strengthens the advantages of digital technology for women in their social participation. The study finds digital literacy serves as an essential tool which unites technology access to social inclusion goals. The research findings provide essential directions to developers, along with policymakers and instructors, on enhancing women's digital competence and social inclusivity. Further research needs to explore these connections from a perspective of time and diverse population demographics throughout different community settings.