The aging population in China continues to deepen. By the end of 2024, the population aged 60 and above had reached 310.31 million, accounting for 22.0% of the total population; among them, the population aged 65 and above was 220.23 million, accounting for 15.6% (National Bureau of Statistics, 2025). The proliferation of smart technologies has created new pathways for social participation among older adults, but the urban-rural digital divide and skill disparities persist. According to CNNIC (2025), the internet penetration rate in rural areas is 65.6%, while the overall usage rate among the older adult population is only 52.0%. Although this has improved, it remains below the national average. Intergenerational support plays a key role herein, as help from children and younger generations can significantly enhance technology adoption and social participation levels among older adults. This paper reviews domestic and international research, combines data on urban-rural disparities in China, focuses on analyzing the stratified impact of smart technology use on social participation, and explores the moderating mechanism of intergenerational support. The study finds that smart technologies can expand the social connections and public affairs participation of older adults, with intergenerational support playing a particularly decisive role in rural areas. This paper innovatively proposes the "stratified pathway of technology use" and the "urban-rural disparity — intergenerational support interaction framework" to provide references for smart aging policies and intergenerational collaboration.
Wu Zhijie (Wed,) studied this question.