BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION ON DIGITAL COMPETENCE AND DIGITAL DIVIDE

Objective. The objective is to conduct a bibliometric assessment of the global scientific literature on digital competence and the digital divide from 2004 to 2023. Design/Methodology/Approach. A bibliometric, descriptive and quantitative study formed the basis of the methodology. Using keywords in English ("digital competence", "digital divide"), 96 papers were chosen to generate the scientific production indicators. Results/Discussion. The number of academic articles (79) published between 2018 and 2023 increased by 82%. The highest rate of scientific production was observed in Spain (34%), with the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya being the institution with the most publications. In addition, 85% were scientific articles, the majority (37%) in social sciences. Conclusion. It was concluded that research in this area is dynamic due to the constantly evolving nature of digital technology, usability, accessibility, policy objectives, and expectations of individuals in a knowledge society. This competence is crucial in the education sector because it facilitates the widespread and effective implementation of technology, which depends on access (bridging the digital divide) and intelligent application. Originality/Value. This study serves as a basis for future research on the connections between digital competence and the digital divide.