Socioeconomic differences in digital inequality among Chinese older adults: Results from a nationally representative sample

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300433
• Publication Date: 2024-04-02T18:27:42Z
• Authors: Hongchao Hu; Wenqian Xu
• Keywords: Disadvantaged; Digital Divide; Social Inequality

The current study seeks to investigate digital inequality among older adults in China, specifically examining two socially defined age groups: young-old (aged 60–74) and old-old 75+). Descriptive statistics multiple regression were used examine the prevalence of identify factors associated with Internet access, usage (frequency breadth containing 11 activities), skills, social support. data from 2018 China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey (CLASS) which consisted 11,419 respondents aged 60 years older. We found that 40.22% had access Internet, 18.27% it regularly. Socioeconomic played a crucial role determining usage, higher education using more frequently, deliberately, competently. Those economic status greater support use it, socioeconomic likely have access. This has implications for prioritizing targeted policies interventions aimed at supporting socioeconomically disadvantaged ensuring equal opportunities all benefit world.