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New research has found that digitally included older adults—that is, those capable of using the Internet and digital communication methods—have better cognitive functioning than their digitally excluded peers, who are not capable of using modern means of communication. The digitally excluded older adults also tended to have more severe depressive symptoms. The paper was published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.
As people age, their cognitive functioning changes. Many cognitive abilities gradually decline, although some tend to remain stable. Processing speed, or the ability to quickly take in and respond to information, slows down with age. Working memory, the ability to hold and manipulate information in the short term, also tends to decline. Episodic memory, or the recall of specific events and experiences, becomes less reliable in older adulthood.
In contrast, semantic memory, which involves knowledge of facts and language, usually remains stable or can even improve. Older adults also tend to show declines in executive functions such as multitasking, planning, and inhibiting irrelevant information. Attention becomes more difficult to sustain, especially when distractions are present. However, crystallized intelligence, which reflects accumulated knowledge and expertise, typically remains strong throughout life. In response to these changes, many older adults develop compensatory strategies, such as relying on experience or external aids, to maintain their functioning.
Study author Zi-Mu Chen and her colleagues note that recent research has highlighted a significant association between social isolation and cognitive impairment in older adults. Social isolation is also known to be associated with depressive symptoms. In modern society, where a large share of communication happens via the Internet and other digital means, being able to use these tools is key to maintaining social connections. However, many older adults are not proficient in using them. This suggests that older adults who are unable to use the Internet may be at a greater risk of social isolation and depressive symptoms.
For this study, the authors defined “digitally excluded” older adults as those who did not use the Internet or digital communication, while “digitally included” adults used at least some of these tools. They then compared the cognitive functioning and severity of depressive symptoms between these two groups.
They analyzed data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a nationwide, population-based prospective cohort survey of adults aged 45 years or older. The initial survey was conducted in 2011 on 17,708 individuals recruited from 450 villages and residential communities in 28 provinces across China. Data collection was repeated four more times through 2020, with surveys conducted every two to three years. Data from 9,436 participants were used in this analysis. The sample size was reduced primarily because the authors matched digitally included and excluded participants on key demographic characteristics to ensure comparable groups.
The study authors used data on cognitive functioning (obtained using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status) and the severity of depressive symptoms. They divided participants into digitally excluded and digitally included groups based on six types of online activities: chatting, reading news, watching videos, playing games, managing money, and other specific Internet activities. Those who engaged in none of these activities were considered digitally excluded, while those who participated in at least one were considered digitally included.
Results showed that digitally included participants, on average, exhibited higher levels of global cognition, including better executive functioning and episodic memory, compared to the digitally excluded group. In contrast, the digitally excluded group had more severe depressive symptoms.
“Digital exclusion is significantly associated with more severe depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment among older adults. The central and bridge symptoms should be prioritized in developing treatment strategies for older adults with depression and cognitive decline,” the study authors concluded.
The study sheds light on the links between the use of the Internet and cognitive functioning in older adults. However, it should be noted that the design of this study does not allow any definitive causal inferences to be derived from the results. While it is possible that using the Internet contributes to slowing cognitive decline and preventing depression, it is also possible that individuals experiencing substantial cognitive decline and mental health issues are less able to use the Internet.
The paper, “Association between depressive symptoms and cognitive performance in middle-aged and older adults across digital divide,,” was authored by Zi-Mu Chen, Meng-Yi Chen, Qinge Zhang, Sha Sha, Zhaohui Su, Teris Cheung, Gabor S. Ungvari, Robert D. Smith, Chee H. Ng, and Yu-Tao Xiang.