Digital literacy among older adults: a systematic review in Indian context

Digital literacy has become an essential skill in today’s rapidly digitizing society. Digital literacy requires Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills as it enables individuals to retrieve, assess, and exchange information, as well as communicate via the internet. The use of ICT can enhance the quality of life of older adults (60 years of age and above) and promote healthy aging. Previous research indicates that the use of ICT by older adults has risen significantly in the last 10 years. However, their adoption and use of technology is less compared to younger age groups, and they are more likely to discontinue the use with growing age. Even though a substantial portion of the globe has access to basic ICT, a significant difference in ICT skills persists. In this review study, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) is followed. This review summarizes relevant studies published in scholarly journals over the last 10 years (2014–2024) that empirically examine the digital literacy of older adults in an Indian context. A range of criteria were used to evaluate digital literacy, including, e-health literacy, digital skill, and general or specialized use of technology such as ICT devices. The findings of this review exhibit that ICT adoption of Indian older adults is lower due to a lack of digital literacy. A significant digital divide exists between rural and urban areas. To fill the research gap, future studies must consider the heterogeneous nature of the older population.