Aging in cyberspace: Internet use and quality of life of older Chinese migrants

In the transnational and digital era, the Internet plays an important role in the postmigration lives of many older migrants. This article explores how Internet use contributes to the quality of life of older Chinese migrants through the analysis of 19 qualitative interviews conducted in New Zealand. The results show that older migrants use the Internet to combat postmigration loneliness, to strengthen local and international social connectedness, and to cope with difficulties while settling in the host society. These findings suggest that older migrants use the Internet as a strategy not only to deal with issues related to aging but also to compensate for the losses and challenges caused by migration. In the migration context, independence fostered by the Internet is particularly highlighted as a key element in quality of life. By interrogating the roles the Internet plays in older Chinese migrants’ day-to-day postmigration interactions, this article provides insights into their quality of life in a transnational context.