Older adults in their third and fourth ages, face persistent challenges adapting to the increasing role of digital technologies in areas such as healthcare, financial management, and social engagement. The digital divide continues to affect their participation in daily digital life compared to younger populations.
This interventional study aimed to improve digital literacy among older adults using smartphone-based training in health, finance, and leisure domains. It also explored the relationship between digital literacy, subjective age, self-ageism, and subjective well-being.
The study included 199 participants aged 65+, with a mean age of 81.6 (SD = 6.9); 75% lived in assisted living facilities. They attended eight 90-minute in-person sessions focused on smartphone use for social, medical, and financial purposes. After a 22.1% dropout rate, the final sample included 155 participants. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires assessed digital literacy (smartphone use, internet knowledge, digital confidence, technophobia), subjective well-being, and age-related variables (chronological age, subjective age, self-ageism). Demographics and health status were assessed at baseline.
Significant improvements were found in smartphone use scope (t=2.9, df=132, p<.01), digital confidence (t=4.5, df=133, p<.001), internet knowledge (t=3.8, df=133, p<.001), and life satisfaction (t=1.8, df=130, p<.05). Subjective age was negatively correlated with scope of smartphone use (r=-.19, p<.05), duration of use (r=-.20, p<.05), digital confidence (r=-.23, p<.01), and internet knowledge (r=-.21, p<.01), and positively with self-ageism (r=.38, p<.001). Chronological age showed lower correlations with digital literacy measures. Self-ageism correlated negatively with smartphone use scope (r=-.17, p<.05) and digital confidence (r=-.24, p<.01), and positively with technophobia (r=.15, p<.05). Overall, digital literacy measures were positively related to life satisfaction, resilience, and perceived health.
Digital literacy among older adults can be enhanced through targeted interventions. Improving digital skills may support subjective well-being, while reducing the digital divide could promote active and positive aging by fostering autonomy, engagement in healthcare, and social functioning.