How was everyday internet use linked to well-being among older adults in Hong Kong?

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Population aging is a major concern worldwide. The authors say active aging should be promoted by increasing older adults’ social participation and enabling them to remain involved in their communities. Research has shown that digital resources can help meet older adults’ needs for networking, entertainment, and health-related information. However, the digital divide among older adults, known as the “gray digital divide,” is increasingly recognized as a social problem that may be related to poor well-being.

To obtain updated local data on internet access and use and their relationship with perceived well-being, researchers conducted telephone interviews with a random sample of 1,018 older adults in Hong Kong from January to July 2021. The research received funding support from Hong Kong Baptist University’s Interdisciplinary Research Matching Scheme.

Among participants, 76.5% had internet access at home, a mobile phone data plan, or both; 36.3% had never used internet services, and 18.2% had no digital devices. Younger age, male gender, higher education, living with others, and higher self-perceived social class were associated with material access to digital devices and everyday internet use. Participants who accessed the internet every day had higher life satisfaction and self-rated physical and mental health than those who rarely or never used it. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that digital skills were significantly associated with self-rated mental health even after controlling for demographic variables, including age, gender, education, and self-perceived social class.

The study adds to the limited literature on internet use, digital skills, and perceived well-being. The authors say the findings highlight the importance of addressing the digital divide even in cities with high information and communication technology penetration, such as Hong Kong. They also discuss insights into timely interventions for older adults to address the gray digital divide.