This study aims to examine how reducing citizens’ barriers to accessing information influences participation in digital contact tracing during a pandemic. It focuses on learning costs as an administrative burden, especially where fear and misinformation distort public understanding of government activity.
Drawing on data from Oxford University’s Coronavirus Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) across 78 countries, this paper examines how governments’ provision of information campaigns impact the take-up of digital contact tracing, and how age-vulnerability moderates this relationship.
Reducing learning costs through targeted information campaigns increases citizen participation in digital contact tracing. Easing these costs for elderly populations enhances their capacity to use digital tools, addressing some of the challenges they face. Age vulnerability is a barrier to participation and is amplified by high learning costs.
This study is limited by its reliance on secondary data, which may not fully capture nuanced citizen behaviors. Future research should incorporate primary data collection, such as surveys or experiments, to better understand engagement dynamics and the contextual factors influencing participation in digital contact tracing.
Governments can improve public health outcomes during crises by reducing administrative burdens tied to digital health adoption. Tailored communication and targeted inclusion of elderly populations can strengthen digital engagement and effectiveness of public health interventions.
This study expands administrative burden and citizen engagement literature by showing how lowering learning costs can improve participation in digital contact tracing. It highlights the links between information access, digital literacy and public health responsiveness in pandemic contexts.
