Does More Digital Literacy Lead to Decreased Social Isolation among Older Adults? An Exploratory Study

Description

Page: 15-18

Anya Aggarwal (Department of Applied Psychology, University of Delhi, Vivekananda College, New Delhi)

Social isolation is associated with poorer physical and mental health, particularly among homebound older adults, who are at heightened risk (Tan et al., 2024). However, taking in evidence the prior studies digital literacy seems to be a potential solution. The need for digital literacy in the older populations is increasing in the digitalising culture. Digital literacy can be defined as “The interest, attitude, and ability of individuals to appropriately use digital technology and communication tools to access, manage, integrate, analyse and evaluate information, construct new knowledge, create and communicate with others” (Government of British Columbia, 2022). This study aims to analyse whether higher levels of digital literacy correlate with decreased social isolation among older adults (55 & above). The study uses two scales- Everyday Digital Literacy Questionnaire (EDLQ) developed by a team of researchers at Yonsei University in South Korea (JiYeon Choi et al., 2023) for measuring digital literacy and The De Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale (de Jong-Gierveld & Kamphuis, 1985) for measuring social isolation in terms of social loneliness and emotional loneliness. The research sample consisted of 15 randomly selected males and females, aged 55 and older, residing in the Delhi NCR region. This age group is relevant given the Indian government’s emphasis on policies such as the National Policy for Older Persons (NPOP), the Digital India Programme, and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), that aim to empower older adults through technological inclusion. Through correlational analysis, this study will explore the link between digital literacy and social isolation. Prior research has indicated how higher digital literacy is linked to increased social interactions, which can alleviate loneliness. For instance, older adults with better social-use digital literacy reported improved well-being and quality of life, mediated by social connectedness (Soundararajan et al., 2023). This study aims to confirm whether a similar trend exists within the Indian context. It also provides insights into how digital literacy initiatives can help in promoting social well-being among the older adults. Findings from this study are intended to inform policy reforms aimed at bridging the digital divide and fostering social inclusion among older adults.