Introduction. The problem and the aim of the study. Enhancing digital literacy among adolescents is increasingly recognized as a key competency for future societal participation. This study is necessary to examine how attitudes toward artificial intelligence, along with psychological and socioeconomic factors – specifically digital self-efficacy and household income – jointly influence digital literacy, thereby providing empirical evidence to inform equitable and effective digital education policies. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of digital self-efficacy in the relationship between adolescents’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) technology and their digital literacy, and to investigate whether this mediating effect is moderated by household income.
Research methods. Data were drawn from the 2023 Digital Divide Survey conducted by the National Information Society Agency (NIA) of Korea. A total of 329 adolescents aged 13 to 19 were selected based on the criteria of being enrolled in middle or high school, having access to mobile devices and the internet at home, and having prior experience with AI technologies. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 and PROCESS Macro 4.3.
Results. The results showed that, first, a more positive attitude toward AI technology was significantly associated with higher levels of digital literacy (Coeffect = .506, p < .001). Second, digital self-efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between AI attitudes and digital literacy (Effect = .118, 95% CI [.044, .201]). Third, this mediating effect was significantly moderated by household income, such that the indirect effect was stronger among adolescents from higher-income households (Index = .025, 95% CI [.002, .057]).
Conclusion. This study highlights the need for an integrated approach to enhancing adolescents’ digital literacy by considering psychological and socioeconomic factors alongside technical skills. It also underscores the importance of customized AI education and calls for future research using multi-group and qualitative methods to deepen contextual understanding.
Keywords: attitudes toward AI technology, digital self-efficacy, digital literacy, household income, moderated mediation effect
For Citation: Kim, Y. J. (2025). The Impact of Adolescents’ Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence Technology on Digital Literacy: The Mediating Role of Digital Self-Efficacy and the Moderated Mediation Effect of Household Income. Perspektivy nauki i obrazovania = Perspectives of Science and Education, (5), 726–737. https://doi.org/10.32744/pse.2025.5.47
Author:
Yun-Jeong Kim [Corresponding Author] (Republic of Korea) — Department of Social Welfare. Hanseo University. E-mail: twoyun21@hanmail.net
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