JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The rise of mobile health (mHealth) has underscored the critical importance of equitable internet access in promoting healthy aging. Among older adults, especially in digitally underserved populations, access to mobile data is often limited due to affordability and technological barriers, leading to a phenomenon known as “data deprivation.” This form of digital inequality restricts seniors’ ability to participate in social, recreational, and community-based activities, which are known to protect against isolation and decline in later life. In South Korea, where unlimited smartphone data plans have become increasingly accessible, a unique opportunity arises to evaluate the real-world association of improved data accessibility on seniors' social lives and digital engagement.

Objective:

This study aims to examine whether switching to unlimited smartphone data plans enhances social participation among older adults in South Korea. It also explores whether this relationship differs by demographic and socioeconomic subgroups, such as age, gender, region, household composition, and income level. The study focuses on offline domains of social participation, including hobby gatherings, religious services, volunteering, and routine activities like shopping.

Methods:

We used data from the Korea Media Panel Survey (2016–2022), a nationally representative longitudinal dataset and the final sample included 5,021 individuals. Social participation was measured using a self-reported 8-item scale (8–64 points) covering outdoor activities, volunteering, and more. A difference-in-differences approach assessed the association of switching from limited to unlimited smartphone data plans on social activity scores. The subgroup analyses examined heterogeneity by gender, household composition, income, and region.

Results:

Overall, among individuals aged 60 and above, switching to unlimited data plans was not associated with a statistically significant change in social activity scores. However, within this group, those aged 70 and above showed a more notable—though not statistically significant—improvement (differential of 1.54; 95% CI, -0.41 to 3.50). And elderly men living alone experienced a significant differential improvement of 6.44 (95% CI, 3.39 to 9.50) compared to those who remained on limited plans.

Conclusions:

While the overall association of unlimited data plans was limited, certain vulnerable subgroups—particularly older men living alone—experienced meaningful gains. These findings suggest that improving mobile data accessibility may enhance social engagement among digitally underserved older adults. Compared to more complex or resource-intensive interventions, expanding access to unlimited smartphone data plans may offer a relatively simple and scalable strategy to support healthy aging and reduce social isolation.