A recent study led by researchers from Lancaster University in collaboration with University College London finds that differences in internet use among older adults are influenced more by cognitive ability and socioeconomic factors such as education and employment than by age alone. Analyzing data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which includes over 6,000 individuals aged 50+, the study shows that more than 90% are regular internet users, indicating higher usage than often assumed. However, an age related digital divide persists, with usage declining from 97.7% among those aged 50–64 to 91.1% for ages 65–79, and 65.7% for those aged 80 and above.

Researchers examined multiple factors influencing internet use among older adults including sex, marital status, mobility, physical impairments, long term health conditions, wealth, education, employment status, and cognitive ability and found that education, employment, and cognitive ability are the most significant determinants across age groups. While demographic, social, and health-related factors do have some impact, they do not sufficiently explain the decline in internet use with age. According to Bran Knowles of Lancaster University, the findings challenge the common belief that functional decline is the main barrier, highlighting instead the stronger influence of cognitive and socioeconomic factors. Older adults themselves frequently cite lack of skills rather than lack of access as the primary reason for limited internet use, underscoring the importance of lifelong digital skills training to bridge the age related digital divide.

The study further reveals that the most common reason older adults give for not increasing their internet use is simply a lack of perceived need, as many feel satisfied with their current level of engagement. The researchers highlight the importance of reframing discussions around the age based digital divide emphasizing not only the need to support those lacking digital skills, but also to respect older individuals autonomy in choosing when to disengage from technology. According to Bran Knowles of Lancaster University, older adults across age groups are generally regular users and cite reasons similar to the broader population for limiting their use. The findings suggest that reduced engagement may often reflect voluntary disengagement and shifting priorities in later life, raising the question of whether the digital divide should be viewed solely as exclusion or also as a conscious aspect of ageing well.

Researchers also emphasize the need for technology designers and service providers to better support older adults who choose to limit their internet use. Bran Knowles of Lancaster University noted that while assistance remains important for those facing barriers, most older adults reduce usage by preference, suggesting that design approaches should respect and accommodate this choice. Meanwhile, Andrew Steptoe from University College London highlighted the growing importance of internet use among people in their 80s and 90s, particularly as essential services, healthcare access, and cost effective goods increasingly move online. The study, conducted under the DigiAge project funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, is presented in the paper “Cohort Differences in Internet Use Amongst Older Adults” and was published on April 15 at the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Barcelona. 

source: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/news/new-findings-shed-new-light-on-ageing-and-the-digital-divide