Bridging the Digital Divide: The Role of Digital Literacy of Coastal Women in Sustainable Development in Tangerang Regency

In the modern world, the ability to use digital tools is no longer just a technical skill; it is a fundamental way people access opportunities, make decisions, and shape their futures. This concept, often called digital literacy, involves more than just knowing how to turn a device on. It includes the confidence to find reliable information, the ability to create content, and the judgment to navigate online spaces safely. For women in coastal communities, where traditional economic roles often limit their reach, these skills can be a powerful bridge to broader economic participation and social influence. When women gain these capabilities, they do not just improve their own lives; they often lift their families and communities, contributing to a more stable and prosperous environment. This intersection of technology, gender, and community development is where a new study from Indonesia takes a close look, asking a simple but vital question: does teaching digital skills to women in coastal towns actually lead to a better, more sustainable way of living?

Researchers from Universitas Muhammadiyah Tangerang set out to answer this question by focusing on the coastal women of Tangerang Regency, a region in Indonesia known for its fishing communities and unique economic challenges. They were interested in understanding how digital literacy connects to three specific outcomes: whether women are willing to adopt new technologies, whether they feel more empowered to make life decisions, and whether their communities become more sustainable. To get a clear picture, the team surveyed 1,108 women from various coastal villages, including areas like Pakuhaji, Kronjo, and Mauk. The participants ranged widely in age, with the largest group falling between 30 and 36 years old, and included housewives, entrepreneurs, and workers in the fishing industry. Most of these women already owned a mobile phone, and a significant portion accessed the internet every day, providing a solid foundation for the study.

The researchers found that digital literacy acts as a powerful engine for change. When women in these coastal areas improved their ability to use digital devices and navigate online information, their willingness to accept and use new technology increased dramatically. This was not a subtle shift; the data showed a very strong link between knowing how to use a device and actually wanting to use it for daily tasks. More importantly, this digital know-how directly boosted the women's sense of empowerment. As they became more comfortable with technology, they reported having greater access to business information, more control over their economic activities, and a stronger voice in community decisions. The study measured this empowerment as a feeling of increased welfare and the capacity to make strategic choices about their lives and livelihoods.

The path from digital skills to a sustainable community is not a straight line, but the study mapped out exactly how the pieces fit together. The researchers discovered that digital literacy does not just help women personally; it drives sustainable development through two main channels. First, by making women more willing to use technology, it opens doors to new economic activities and efficiencies. Second, and perhaps more significantly, by empowering women, it allows them to contribute more effectively to their families and communities. The data revealed that when women are empowered, they are better able to diversify their income sources, participate in community organizations, and manage resources in ways that support long-term stability. In fact, the study found that the level of women's empowerment had a slightly stronger influence on sustainable development than the simple act of accepting technology did. This suggests that the human element—confidence, decision-making power, and agency—is just as critical as the technology itself.

However, the story does not end with individual skills. The researchers also looked at the role of the community itself, specifically a concept called social capital, which refers to the trust, networks, and relationships people have with one another. They found that strong social ties act as a force multiplier. When a woman is empowered and has a supportive network of neighbors, friends, or local groups, her ability to contribute to sustainable development becomes even stronger. The study showed that in communities where women trust each other and work together, the positive effects of their empowerment are amplified. This means that teaching a woman to use a smartphone is most effective when it happens alongside efforts to build strong, supportive community bonds.

The results of this research offer a clear roadmap for the future. The study confirms that simply handing out devices is not enough to solve the digital divide or ensure sustainable development. Instead, success requires a combined approach that teaches digital skills, fosters a willingness to use those tools, and actively works to empower women to make decisions. It also highlights that these efforts must be rooted in the community, leveraging existing social networks to support individual growth. For the coastal women of Tangerang, and potentially for similar communities around the world, the findings suggest that when technology, personal agency, and community trust come together, they create a foundation for a more resilient and prosperous future. The study concludes that bridging the gap between the digital world and sustainable development is not just about access to the internet, but about unlocking the potential of the people who use it.