Digital technology use for social cohesion among older adults in rural Myanmar during the civil war: barriers and coping strategies

BACKGROUND: Population ageing in Myanmar is occurring amid prolonged political instability and civil war, exacerbating social isolation and vulnerabilities among older adults, particularly in rural areas. While digital technologies have the potential to support social cohesion, little is known about how older adults in conflict-affected rural Myanmar access and use these tools, the barriers they face, and the strategies they adopt to cope with digital exclusion. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted in rural communities in Kayin State, southeastern Myanmar. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 older adults aged 60 years and above in rural Kayin State, Myanmar. Due to security concerns in the conflict setting, all interviews were conducted online via Zoom. Guided by the Socioecological Model and Stress and Coping Theory, data were thematically analyzed to explore patterns of digital technology use, multi-level barriers, and coping strategies related to social connection during the ongoing civil war. RESULTS: Older adults primarily used mobile phones and social media platforms especially Facebook to maintain contact with family members, access information, and support emotional well-being during periods of conflict. These technologies facilitated intergenerational communication, reduced feelings of isolation, and enabled access to timely information related to security and daily living. However, their contribution to social cohesion was often limited by significant barriers, including low digital literacy, financial constraints, unstable electricity and internet connectivity, age-related physical limitations, and concerns about surveillance and phone signal and internet restrictions following the 2021 military coup. Despite these challenges, participants adopted adaptive coping strategies such as relying on family support, sharing devices, and selectively using familiar or low-cost platforms, relocating to access the signals, and adjusting communication practices to avoid surveillance risks. CONCLUSION: Digital technologies provide a limited but meaningful contribution to sustaining social cohesion among older adults in rural, conflict-affected Myanmar by supporting communication, emotional connection, and access to information. However, their contribution remains uneven, as structural inequalities, political constraints, and infrastructural limitations continue to restrict equitable access. Addressing these challenges requires context-sensitive, age-appropriate digital inclusion strategies, alongside sustained investments in rural connectivity and community-based support, to strengthen social connectedness and well-being among older adults in protracted crisis settings.