The involuntary experience of digital exclusion among older adults: A taxonomy and theoretical framework

The emerging phenomenon of digital exclusion raises an important issue that not everyone is equally engaged in and can benefit from the digital world. Older adults are particularly susceptible to digital exclusion, but a comprehensive conceptual treatment of digital exclusion in older adults is lacking in the psychology literature. In this article, we provide a taxonomy to advance the literature on digital exclusion in older adults, identifying key conceptual attributes of older adults' digital exclusion experiences by articulating both structural (i.e., technology deficit) and psychological (i.e., social and information isolation) challenges that they face. On the basis of this taxonomy, we integrate insights from lifespan development theories to develop a theoretical model that considers the antecedents of digital exclusion among older adults at micro, meso, and macrolevels and outlines the potential consequences for successful aging in life and work domains. We also suggest directions for future research, aiming to address issues of digital exclusions among older adults and promote digital equality in societies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).