A latent profile analysis of South Korean adults aged 65 and older identified distinct subgroups defined by how extensively they use digital technology across everyday domains, rather than by a simple used/did not use divide. The findings indicate that digital inequality in later life is a matter of degree and domain, with implications for access to health information, services, and social connection as populations age.
Key Points
- Digital engagement in older adults clusters into distinct profiles, not binary categories
- Within-group differences span multiple everyday-life domains, not device ownership alone
- Profile-specific inclusion strategies outperform uniform digital literacy programs
Longevity Analysis
Access to telehealth, remote monitoring, medication management tools, and social contact increasingly runs through digital channels, making engagement level a practical determinant of care continuity and isolation risk in later decades. Loneliness and reduced cognitive stimulation track with measurable changes in stress signaling, sleep architecture, and inflammatory tone, so the gap between profiles is not merely one of convenience. Identifying where an individual sits on this spectrum — and which domains they avoid — allows targeted intervention rather than blanket instruction, and sustained use matters more than initial adoption.
Original published by SAGE Research on Aging, by Aran Kim, Ki Young Lee, Sojeong Lee, Yeong Ju Lee, Hansol Kim1Department of Social Welfare, 34996Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea2School of Social Welfare, 1084University at Albany, Albany, NY, USA3Institute for Social Science Research, 34996Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea.