Emerging Scholar David Petit Publishes Paper on the Digital Divide and Population Aging

David Petit, a political scientist and historian specializing in public policy, digital transformation, and aging populations who is a Columbia Global Emerging Scholar based at the Santiago Center, has published his latest paper on digital divides and public policies for older people – the topic on which he has based his yearlong research residency.

The paper, recently published in Universidad de Chile’s journal “Estado, Gobierno y Gestión Pública” (State, Government and Public Management) diagnoses the digital divide among older Chileans, integrating population aging and the socio-digital transition from a multidimensional public policy perspective. 

The phenomenon of population aging is reshaping social, economic, and technological landscapes globally, and Latin America is no exception. Petit’s report, titled “The Digital Divide and Population Aging: Digital Exclusion, Public Policies, and Intergenerational Impact,” addresses the multifaceted relationship between aging populations and digital technologies, with a focus on how this dynamic intersects with public policy and intergenerational equity. Petit’s research offers a critical assessment of digital exclusion among older adults and outlines the systemic and policy-level interventions required to bridge this divide.

Digital technologies are increasingly central to modern life — not only for communication and entertainment but also for access to essential services, including healthcare, financial management, and social security. However, older adults often face barriers to digital inclusion due to a combination of factors such as limited technological literacy, physical and cognitive impairments, and socio-economic inequality. As a result, the aging population is disproportionately affected by the digital divide, which exacerbates existing forms of social exclusion and contributes to growing intergenerational inequalities.

The report draws on quantitative and qualitative data from across Latin America, particularly Chile, to illustrate how digital exclusion manifests in diverse contexts. It highlights how state-led digitalization of public services — intended to streamline bureaucratic processes — can unintentionally marginalize older individuals who are unable to navigate digital platforms as the transition assumes a baseline of digital competence that is not reflected in many older citizens’ realities.

Public policy emerges as a crucial domain for addressing these challenges. The report critiques current policy approaches as being insufficiently inclusive and often age-blind, failing to consider the specific needs of older adults in digital strategies. In response, Petit calls for a paradigm shift toward age-sensitive digital inclusion policies, including state-supported training programs, accessible digital infrastructure, and the integration of “gerontechnology” (technology designed for aging populations) in public services.

Moreover, the report emphasizes the intergenerational implications of digital exclusion. The divide not only affects older adults directly but also places additional burdens on younger family members who must act as intermediaries in navigating digital systems. This dynamic can strain family relationships and compound socio-economic disparities across generations. Addressing this issue, therefore, is not merely a matter of improving technological access but also of promoting intergenerational solidarity and shared digital citizenship.

According to Petit, two new articles are currently being prepared: one on perceptions of gaps among students and faculty of the University for the Elderly (UDAM) program at Universidad Viña del Mar (UVM), and another, in collaboration with local thinktank, the Center for Public Studies (CEP), focusing on challenges in gerontological care policies.

“In subsequent stages, the research will advance into a comparative analysis of digital public policies in the OECD and in Latin America, as well as studies on the silver economy, the impact of digital literacy on pension/health sustainability, and intergenerational ecosystems,” he said.

For now, Petit’s latest report calls for collaborative, multisectoral efforts to ensure that digital transformation processes are inclusive and equitable. Bridging the digital divide for older adults requires more than just providing access to devices and the internet; it demands a comprehensive approach that integrates education, accessibility, and policy reform. As digital technologies continue to shape the structure of society, addressing the digital exclusion of aging populations becomes imperative for building resilient, inclusive, and age-friendly digital societies in Latin America and beyond.

Earlier this year, Petit delivered a lecture at Universidad de Chile’s School of Government 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.

Following that, the Santiago Center signed an inter-institutional collaboration agreement with UVM to support Petit’s research project titled “Analyzing Inequality and Digital Gaps in Valparaíso, Chile.”

Petit will work with UVM’s faculty members that teach at the UDAM, a UVM program designed to integrate seniors into a more academic setting, providing them the opportunity to continue developing their knowledge in various areas of interest, including the use of information and communication technology.

Specifically, Petit will apply a Columbia IRB-approved questionnaire for UDAM students. The results from this study will contribute to qualitative evidence for academic means regarding innovation and the formulation of public policy, to be used in forums, seminars, and workshops.