Digital divide or digital dividend: the impact of digital economy development on the elderly

With the prosperous development of the digital economy, its impact on the elderly has become a social concern. Utilising data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) of 2020 and the Digital Finance Inclusion Index of China (DFIIC), this study analyses the relationship between digital economy development and the digital adaptation status of the elderly. The findings indicate that digital economy development is positively associated with older adults crossing the digital divide and sharing digital dividends. While urban, low-age, and high-education older adults have more significant benefits, suggesting that digital economy development also exacerbates digital inequality within older groups. Mechanism analysis shows that economic dividend sharing, community service support, and social participation are essential mechanisms through which the digital economy promotes older adults’ digital inclusion and dividend sharing. Based on the results, countermeasures are proposed to bridge older adults’ digital divide, build an age-friendly digital environment, and enhance the degree of older persons’ digital social participation.