Bridging the Second-Level Digital Divide: Prioritizing Emotional and Social Literacy through Intergenerational Communication in Rural China

Qian  Liu; Qing  Wang; Chang Sup  Park

doi:10.6000/2818-3401.2026.04.02

Authors

Qian Liu School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
Qing Wang School of Journalism and Communication, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
Chang Sup Park Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/2818-3401.2026.04.02

Keywords:

Generational digital divide, intergenerational communication, emotional digital literacy, social digital literacy

Abstract

Based on interviews with 52 Xianchong Village residents, this study shows older adults value emotional comfort, relational ties, and family support in digital inclusion. Rather than technical skills alone, seniors emphasize well-being and social cohesion when using technology. Intergenerational communication—especially reciprocal family learning—reduces digital alienation, reflecting Confucian ideals of filial piety and responsibility, especially in rural contexts dominated by family networks. While some barriers resemble first-level divides, findings mainly address second-level dynamics, highlighting emotional and social aspects of digital literacy. Mechanisms such as reassurance, cultural continuity, and reciprocity persist across technological shifts, reframing digital inequality as relational and affective, and revealing how enduring cultural norms shape engagement.

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