Gender disparities in the development of information and communication technology (ICT) literacy across adulthood: A...

Despite the increasing importance of digital skills in modern society, the development of information and communication technology (ICT) literacy in adulthood has received limited attention, particularly regarding gender differences over the course of life. Therefore, this study investigated between-person differences and within-person changes in ICT literacy over approximately 9 years in a sample of N = 2,266 adults from Germany. The result showed that younger adults exhibited higher ICT literacy than older adults, but within-person changes did not differ by age. On average, ICT literacy declined over time (Cohen's d = -0.30). Men consistently demonstrated higher ICT literacy than women (Cohen's d = 0.39), though gender did not influence changes in ICT literacy. Socioeconomic status did not robustly moderate these effects. These findings suggest that ICT literacy tends to decline across adulthood, while preexisting gender differences, likely rooted in earlier socialization processes, persist without substantial change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).