JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Digital exclusion of older adults, otherwise known as the “grey digital divide”, is on ongoing global issue during the pandemic. Due to effects of restrictions in social gatherings and spatial distancing during the pandemic, this grey digital divide potentially puts older adults at a disadvantage and effects on their mental health was investigated.

Objective:

To examine differences in the usage of internet during the lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and explore how age differences in mental health could be explained by time spent on the internet.

Methods:

A door-to-door survey of a nationally representative sample of 602 adults (21-89 years old) in Singapore was carried out using computer assisted personal interviewing during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants, categorised into younger (n=302) and older (n=300) age groups, self-reported to measures of depression, stress and anxiety (DAS), psycho-social adaptability, ability to perform essential activities, social support, health status, digital media usage patterns and time spent on the internet. Data collection procedures complied with existing safe/social distancing measures.

Results:

Older adults reported being less able to utilise digital platforms to meet needs and acquire information updates compared to younger adults during the lockdown period of the pandemic. Older adults spent significantly less time on the internet for both work and personal uses per day (146 mins ± 9.18 mins) compared to younger adults (433.27 mins ± 14.32 mins). Significant age differences in DAS were found with more adverse scores for younger adults. Mediation analysis showed that age differences in DAS was partially explained by time spent on the internet. These variables together explained 43% of the variance in depression score, 40% of the variance in anxiety score and 40% of the variance in stress score.

Conclusions:

Findings point to older adults lagging behind younger adults in having the ability to access the internet to meet needs and engage socially during the pandemic. While digital technologies certainly could aid individuals in communication and socialising, younger adults were instead found to have poorer mental health, and this was partially accounted for by the amount of time spent on the internet. Since past research suggest that excessive time spent on the internet could lead to disordered use, the benefits brought by digital technologies could have been attenuated during the lockdown phase of the pandemic. Considering this potential negative effect, it is imperative to educate adults both young and old in using ICT appropriately.