Digital literacy and its effects on older adults' health: exploring mechanisms and outcomes

In response to population aging, the Chinese government has prioritized enhancing the age-friendly adaptation of digital technologies, which have become essential for promoting social engagement and delivering health services to older adults. This study investigates whether digital literacy effectively improves physical and mental health in the aging population.

Using longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS, 2016-2022), we employ two-way fixed effects models and mechanism analysis to empirically examine the impact of digital literacy on health outcomes, while identifying underlying mechanisms and heterogeneous effects.

Key findings reveal that: (1) Digital literacy significantly improves both physical and psychological health among older adults. (2) These health gains are primarily mediated through enhanced social support networks and the adoption of healthier lifestyles. (3) The health benefits exhibit significant variation across educational attainment, gender, and health status.

The findings confirm that digital literacy is a significant determinant of healthy aging. They offer novel theoretical and empirical insights for policymakers, highlighting the importance of promoting digital literacy among older adults, particularly through interventions that leverage social support and healthy lifestyles.