Impact of Cybersecurity Self-Efficacy on Digital Economic Behaviors Among Older Adults

Older adults often face challenges with digital economic engagement due to concerns about cybersecurity and low levels of digital literacy, particularly a lack of confidence in their cybersecurity skills. This study examined how security behavior self-efficacy influences the digital economic behaviors of older adults. We analyzed data from 1808 South Korean participants aged 65 and older using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The variables included digital economic behaviors, security behavior self-efficacy, mis-and disinformation self-efficacy, and privacy self-efficacy. The findings revealed that higher cybersecurity self-efficacy positively affected the digital economic behaviors of older adults. Additionally, security behavior self-efficacy was a significant predictor of both misinformation and disinformation self-efficacy as well as privacy self-efficacy. In turn, both mis-and disinformation self-efficacy and privacy self-efficacy positively influenced digital economic behaviors, with partial mediation effects identified. Overall, cybersecurity self-efficacy is essential for older adults' participation in the digital economy, impacting their engagement both directly and indirectly through improved awareness and privacy management. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational programs and policies aimed at enhancing digital literacy and building confidence in cybersecurity, ultimately promoting safe and effective digital participation among the elderly.