Assessment of Digital Competency and Influencing Factors in Online Shopping Among the Elderly
摘要
By 2030, China is projected to become a “super-aged” society, with individuals aged 65 and above comprising over 20% of the population. This demographic shift presents significant societal challenges, particularly in the context of digital inclusion. Meanwhile, the rapid development of e-commerce—characterized by its convenience and ability to transcend spatial and temporal constraints—has led to the emergence of the “silver economy,” driven largely by elderly consumers. In this evolving landscape, digital literacy in online shopping has become a crucial factor in ensuring older adults’ effective participation in the digital marketplace. This study adopts a survey-based approach, drawing on UNESCO’s Global Framework on Digital Literacy and utilizing a structured questionnaire to assess the online shopping capabilities of elderly individuals. It examines four core dimensions of digital literacy: Digital Operations & Information Acquisition, Interactive Communication & Content Expression, Security Awareness & Risk Prevention, and Problem-Solving & Adaptability. The findings indicate that while older adults generally exhibit competency in online shopping, notable deficiencies persist in certain areas. Moreover, educational attainment emerges as a key determinant of digital shopping skills, with higher levels of education correlating with significantly greater digital proficiency. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors shaping elderly individuals’ engagement in e-commerce and offer valuable implications for bridging the digital divide in an aging society.