Abstract

In as much as youth unemployment is a global challenge, and with the increasing embeddedness of digital technologies in most forms of work, it is often assumed that the youth are digital natives who are naturally attuned to accomplishing tasks using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This paper therefore sought to compare the general self-efficacy (confidence to accomplish general tasks) to ICT self-efficacy (confidence to accomplish tasks using ICT) of the youth in South Africa. The study adapted the validated general self-efficacy (GSE) scale to develop the ICT self-efficacy (ISE) scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis reliably validated the developed ISE scale. The ANOVA results from 1,948 youths show that overall, the youth of South Africa have a higher general self-efficacy compared to their ICT self-efficacy. Specifically, the youth in township areas have the lowest ISE and GSE. The findings suggest that although the youth are regarded as digital natives, their confidence in using ICT to accomplish tasks remains lower than their non-ICT competencies to accomplish tasks. The study points to intentional digital and non-digital skills efforts for the youth similar to other age groups rather than making the assumption that they will naturally use ICT. Further studies on factors such as demographic and social influences that might influence GSE and ISE among the youth in Africa, are recommended.

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