Older adults who use the internet regularly report better mental health outcomes, including fewer depressive symptoms, greater life satisfaction, and improved self-reported health, according to new research published in Nature Human Behaviour. Conducted across 23 countries, the study suggests that internet use can serve as a vital tool for mental well-being in adults aged 50 and older, particularly in middle-income countries where mental health services may be limited.
Mental health among older adults is a growing concern globally. Around 14% of adults aged 55 and older experience mental health issues, such as depression, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. With the rapid aging of populations and the lasting effects of challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers are increasingly seeking innovative, accessible solutions to address the mental health needs of older individuals.
The internet, with its potential to reduce social isolation, provide access to health information, and offer entertainment, has emerged as a promising avenue. However, most previous studies examining the relationship between internet use and mental health have been conducted in single countries, overlooking cross-national and cultural differences. Additionally, little is known about how sociodemographic and genetic factors influence this relationship. The new study sought to fill these gaps.
“Mental health problems have become a public health concern worldwide in older populations,” said study author Qingpeng Zhang, a professor at the University of Hong Kong and HKU Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science.
“Internet use has shown the potential as a cost-effective strategy for mental health promotion, since it’s shaping how people connect, learn, and access services, especially during the pandemic. However, research on the impact of internet use on the mental health of older individuals has reported mixed results. Our goal was to investigate this association across countries to determine whether and how the internet might support mental well-being among older adults.”
The researchers analyzed data from six large, aging-focused cohort studies: the Health and Retirement Study (United States), the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (England), the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (28 European countries and Israel), the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (China), the Mexican Health and Aging Study (Mexico), and the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (Brazil). These studies collectively included over 87,000 participants aged 50 or older, with data collected over several years.
Participants were asked about their internet usage—whether they used the internet regularly and, in some cases, how frequently. The researchers examined mental health outcomes such as depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and self-reported health, while also considering sociodemographic factors like age, gender, income, education, and physical health. A subset of participants in the United States and England had genetic data available, allowing the researchers to explore how genetic risk factors for depression interacted with internet use.
Across the 23 countries, older adults who used the internet regularly reported fewer depressive symptoms, higher life satisfaction, and better self-rated health. For example, participants who used the internet had, on average, a 0.09-point lower score on depressive symptoms, a 0.07-point higher score on life satisfaction, and a 0.15-point higher score on self-reported health compared to non-users. While these effect sizes are modest, they represent meaningful differences at the population level, given the large number of people who could benefit from improved mental health.
“While previous studies have found the adverse impact of internet use on teenagers’ mental health, our research revealed a consistent positive association between internet use and mental health among older adults across diverse countries,” Zhang told PsyPost. “This was unexpected, as it suggests that internet use may serve as a valuable tool for enhancing well-being later in life, providing benefits such as reduced loneliness, increased social support, and better access to resources and information. It also opens new avenues for exploring how the internet can be leveraged to support aging populations globally.”
These associations were observed globally, but the strength of the relationship varied. Middle-income countries like China showed particularly pronounced benefits, possibly because internet use offered access to services and connections not otherwise available in regions with limited mental health resources.
Zhang and his colleagues also found that some groups benefited more from internet use than others. For instance, older adults who were less socially active, physically inactive, or had disabilities reported stronger positive effects. Those with higher education levels also appeared to gain more, potentially due to greater digital literacy.
The benefits of internet use were stronger for those who used it daily or for longer cumulative periods. However, in some countries, such as England, more frequent internet use was not always associated with higher life satisfaction, highlighting potential cultural or contextual differences.
Importantly, even among individuals with a higher genetic risk for depression, the researchers found that internet use was linked to improved mental health outcomes. This suggests that internet use could help mitigate genetic vulnerabilities to some extent.
“Our study highlights that internet use is linked to better mental health in older adults, reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing life satisfaction across different countries,” Zhang told PsyPost. “This suggests that promoting digital inclusion and supporting older adults in using the internet safely and effectively can significantly improve their well-being.”
While the study offers robust evidence linking internet use to better mental health in older adults, several limitations should be noted. First, the observational design cannot establish causality; it is possible that healthier individuals are more likely to use the internet rather than internet use directly improving health. The study also did not account for specific internet activities, which could have different impacts on mental health.
“Our study did not differentiate between the types of devices used (e.g., smartphones, tablets, or computers) or the specific purposes of internet use (e.g., socializing, entertainment, or learning), which could influence the outcomes,” Zhang said. “Additionally, we did not account for the potential risks associated with internet use, such as overuse, exposure to negative content, or susceptibility to online scams, which may offset some of the benefits. Future research should address these aspects to provide a more nuanced understanding and inform tailored interventions.”
“Our long-term goals are to deepen our understanding of how digital technology can support mental health and well-being among older adults. We aim to explore specific patterns of internet use—such as frequency, purpose, and duration—and their effects on mental health outcomes in the future. Ultimately, we hope to develop evidence-based, personalized digital interventions that can improve mental health for older populations globally, while also addressing disparities in digital access and skills. This research aligns with our vision of creating inclusive, sustainable strategies to support healthy aging in a rapidly digitalizing world.”
The study, “Positive association between Internet use and mental health among adults aged ≥50 years in 23 countries,” was authored by Yan Luo, Paul Siu Fai Yip, and Qingpeng Zhang.
