Internet engagement and digital literacy in older adults: historical and social analysis of the digital inclusion process in Peru

Reyes-Quezada F.A.; Chira-Prieto L.I. · Clio. Revista de Historia, Ciencias Humanas y Pensamiento Critico. (2026) · DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18366900

Resumen

The digitalization process in Peru has followed an uneven historical trajectory, generating intergenerational gaps that particularly affect older adults. From a historical-social perspective, this study examines how attitudes toward the Internet—conceptualized as digital involvement—relate to digital literacy among older adults, considering Internet use and sense of control as mediating mechanisms. A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed with a sample of 233 Peruvian older adults (M age = 65.85; SD = 3.95) recruited from Piura, Metropolitan Lima, and La Libertad. Validated scales measuring Internet involvement, Internet use, sense of control, and digital literacy were applied. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that the direct relationship between Internet involvement and digital literacy was not significant (β =.06). However, Internet use emerged as the main mediator (indirect β =.30), showing that greater involvement predicts more frequent and diverse Internet use, which significantly enhances digital literacy. Additionally, a serial mediation effect was confirmed: involvement → Internet use → sense of control → digital literacy (β =.04). Although the simple mediation of sense of control was not significant, the personal mastery dimension showed meaningful mediating effects. From a historical standpoint, these findings reflect how accumulated educational, occupational, and technological trajectories shape digital appropriation in later life. The study concludes that strengthening positive attitudes toward the Internet and promoting more complex patterns of use represent strategic pathways to reduce the intergenerational digital divide in the Peruvian context.

Instituciones: Universidad César Vallejo