Digital and Social Activeness of Urban Older Adults are Complementary

This study investigates the digital and social activeness of urban older adults in China, using a large and anonymized dataset of over one million mobile phone users from Xihu District, Hangzhou. The findings reveal a complementary relationship between digital and social engagement, challenging the assumption that increased digital activity substitutes traditional social interactions. However, significant gender and cohort disparities are identified: older women and senior cohorts (75+) demonstrate lower levels of digital activeness compared to their male and junior counterparts. The study highlights the rapid post-pandemic increase in digital engagement among older adults, with mobile applications becoming integral to their daily lives. Policy implications include the need for targeted interventions to address digital inequalities, particularly for older women and senior cohorts, to foster active and healthy aging. The research underscores the importance of leveraging digital technology to enhance social inclusion and improve the overall well-being of aging populations.