The Impact of Mobile Internet Use on the Offline Social Interaction of the Elderly:A Case Study of WeChat Use
In the context of a rapidly aging population and the increasing prevalence of mobile internet technology,examining the relationship between WeChat use and social interactions among the elderly has become an important topic in promoting active aging.Using data from the 2018 China General Social Survey(CGSS),this study applies a propensity score matching model to estimate the impact of WeChat use on offline social interactions among older adults.The findings indicate that WeChat use generally enhances offline social interactions for the elderly.Specifically,the promotion of socializing with friends is more pronounced,while the effect on interactions with neighbors is minimal.Moreover,the positive impact of WeChat use on social interaction intensifies with age,helping to alleviate the age-related disadvantages often experienced by the elderly in maintaining social connections.However,WeChat use has also exacerbated the gap in social interactions between urban and rural elderly populations.To address these issues,policies promoting active aging should focus on meeting the diverse needs of the elderly,improving service and support systems,and establishing long-term mechanisms to address social interaction challenges and the digital divide faced by older adults.
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