On January 15, David Petit, a Columbia Global Emerging Scholar based at the Santiago Center, delivered a lecture at Universidad de Chile’s School of Government, where he also teaches, on his ongoing research into the digital divide among older adults in Chile and the role of public policy in promoting digital inclusion. The event, co-organized by the University’s Master’s in Government and Public Management program and the Santiago Center, was held in a hybrid format and streamed live via YouTube.
Exploring Digital Gaps and Social Inclusion
Petit, a political scientist and historian specializing in public policy, digital transformation, and aging populations, joined the Santiago Center as part of the 2024-2025 Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program. His research focuses on inequality, digital gaps, and social inclusion among older adults in Chile.
After welcoming remarks from Luis Garrido-Vergara, assistant professor at the School of Government and the director of the Santiago Center, Antonio Campaña, Petit presented preliminary findings on the barriers to digital access and technology use among seniors in Chile and the Valparaíso region, highlighting key challenges in digital inclusion for older adults, including:
- Digital Access vs. Digital Literacy: While Chile has one of the highest internet connectivity rates in Latin America (93%), many older adults struggle with digital skills. Although 88% of households with seniors have internet access, only 42% of seniors actively use digital tools, revealing a significant gap in digital literacy, confidence, and engagement.
- Education, Socioeconomic Status and Gender Disparities: The study finds that older adults’ digital engagement varies based on education level, income, gender, and household composition. Seniors with only basic education are significantly less likely to use digital tools, and women over 80 are among the least digitally connected groups.
- The Role of Local and Regional Public Policy: Petit emphasizes the need for localized digital inclusion strategies. He highlights the role of municipal governments, universities, and community organizations in providing technology education, internet access, and digital training programs for older adults in Chile.
The Future of Digital Inclusion for Seniors in Chile
David's next research phase will analyze successful digital inclusion policies worldwide, comparing Chile’s approach to international best practices. His work aims to establish an interdisciplinary repository of digital inclusion strategies, offering valuable resources for policymakers, businesses, and academic institutions to develop long-term solutions for senior digital access and literacy.
As digital transformation accelerates, ensuring equitable access to technology for older adults remains a key public policy challenge in Chile and beyond. This research provides crucial insights into bridging the digital divide and empowering seniors to engage with technology and the digital world.
*The video of the complete presentation is available here.
About the Emerging Scholars Fellowship
The Columbia Global Emerging Scholars Fellowship Program offers early-career scholars, who hold refugee status or have been forcibly displaced, the opportunity to enhance their research capabilities, expand professional networks, and support their reintegration into academia, focusing on the humanities and humanistic social sciences.
