노인의 사회적 고립과 디지털 기기 사용에 대한 언론 보도의 종단적 변화: 빅카인즈 기반 비판적 담론 분석

초록

The social isolation of older adults has emerged as a significant social issue, contributing to deteriorating health outcomes and increasing social costs. With the outbreak of COVID-19, the acceleration of digital transformation has further exacerbated the digital divide and social isolation among older adults. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the structure and evolving patterns of keywords and discourses related to older adults’ digital usage and social isolation, thereby providing foundational data for the development of effective policies to promote digital inclusion and prevent social isolation. Using BIGKinds, a total of 152 cases were analyzed through network analysis, keyword co-occurrence analysis, and discourse analysis, categorized into three periods based on the implementation of COVID-19 social distancing measures: pre-period (May 25, 2018-May 5, 2020; n=45), during-period (May 6, 2020-April 17, 2022; n=58), and post-period (April 18, 2022-March 29, 2024; n=49). The findings indicate that prior to policy implementation, the keyword “smart” (node size=23) was central, reflecting a tendency to introduce digital technologies aimed at minimizing care gaps, while social isolation was often framed as an individual-level issue related to older adults’ difficulties in adapting to digital technologies. During the implementation period, discussions centered around broader social issues driven by the prominence of “COVID-19” (node size=26). Following the policy period, structural exclusion associated with digital transformation became more apparent, with keywords such as “AI” (weight=6.92) and “employment” (weight= 4.71) emerging. Discourse analysis identified three dominant themes: “the discourse of vulnerability and social isolation among older adults,” “the discourse of passive objectification of older adults,” and “the discourse of technological optimism surrounding smart care.” This study suggests that the digital exclusion of older adults should be understood not merely as an individual issue but as a structural social problem. It underscores the importance of policy approaches that promote digital inclusion in the context of ongoing digital transformation. Accordingly, it proposes the need to create environments in which older adults can actively choose to engage in digital use and education, and to expand the understanding of social isolation among older adults to encompass structural dimensions arising from digital exclusion.

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