Cultural participation of older adults in the digital era: Expanding access or deepening the divide?

Purpose This article examines the relationship between onsite and online cultural participation among older adults in Italy. Specifically, it investigates whether online cultural consumption complements or substitutes traditional forms of participation and whether these patterns differ by age and gender. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on original survey data collected in 2025 from a representative sample of Italians aged 60 and over. Four cultural activities are considered: museum visits, theatre attendance, classical music concerts and opera, and other music concerts. The determinants of onsite and online participation are estimated jointly using bivariate probit models that account for the correlation between the two decisions. The specification includes measures of cultural capital, economic conditions, health status, time constraints and accessibility. Findings The results suggest that onsite and online cultural participation are complementary rather than alternative forms of engagement. Cultural capital and familiarity with digital technologies are positively associated with both modes of participation. Health and economic constraints are more relevant for onsite participation, while online participation depends more strongly on digital access and Internet use. Additional analyses reveal substantial heterogeneity across age and gender groups, with the oldest respondents facing the greatest barriers to online participation. Originality/value The article contributes to the literature by analyzing onsite and online cultural participation within a common empirical framework. Using original survey data on older adults, it provides new evidence on the role of cultural capital and digital inclusion in shaping cultural engagement in later life.