디지털 소비자역량의 측정과 평가

This study aimed to assess the level of competence of consumers in the dynamically changing digital environment and to identify the characteristics of vulnerable consumers to provide implications for consumer education. To this end, we examined the overall level of digital consumer competence based on the ‘The Digital Consumer Competence Index’ and analyzed differences in digital consumer competence levels by socio-economic characteristics of consumers. The study found that consumers are less likely to be able to prevent and solve consumer problems in the digital environment, critically evaluate and select information, and protect consumer privacy. Examining which characteristics make consumers more vulnerable in the digital environment, it was found that they are not only low-educated or low-income, but also those who are not sufficiently exposed to ICT(Information and Communication Technologies) directly or indirectly due to age, occupation, and residence. Furthermore, it was confirmed that vulnerable digital consumer competence differs according to consumer characteristics. Therefore, tailored education is needed to identify and address the deficient competencies based on the characteristics of each vulnerable consumer group. These results are expected to provide a basis for establishing consumer education strategies in response to the digital transformation.