Cultivating digital citizenship in a datafied age

Survey and experimental evidence from Hong Kong

Bibliographic Data

ID24239093
AuthorsKevin K W Ip (0000-0002-3673-8731, Hong Kong Baptist University), Samson Yuen (Hong Kong Baptist University)
Year2026
Volume13
Issue4
Publication date2026-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBig Data & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2053-9517 • E-ISSN: 2053-9517
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/20539517261500664
OpenAlexW7223170285
LanguageEN
References cited51

How can individuals function as active participants in a datafied society? What skills or capacities do they need? This study examines two aspects of digital citizenship in a datafied society— data literacy and data efficacy —using a mixed-methods design in Hong Kong. Based on an original survey ( N = 3279), we find that younger, more educated, and politically dissatisfied individuals demonstrate higher data literacy, and that diverse and frequent digital engagement predicts data literacy. A randomized controlled trial (RCT; N = 624), combined with post-RCT focus groups, further tested the effect of two interventions in improving data literacy and efficacy: informational exposure via a chat messaging app and face-to-face deliberation through a workshop. Both interventions modestly improved data literacy among participants, particularly in the participatory aspect. However, only informational exposure significantly enhanced participants’ data efficacy, while deliberation unexpectedly reduced it. These findings tentatively suggest that informational exposure may be a promising and scalable strategy for strengthening data literacy and efficacy, while deliberative participation appears to heighten critical awareness at the cost of short-term confidence. Our exploratory study underscores the need to design data education programs that balance competence and critical awareness to foster digital citizenship.

Digital literacy in education · Literacy, Media, and Education · Privacy, Security, and Data Protection

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