ABSTRACT
Importance: Safe-distancing measures used during the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate social isolation and loneliness with their attending negative consequences. Digital technology may mitigate the negative impact of safe-distancing measures; however, older adults of low socioeconomic status (SES) who may not be digitally literate remain a vulnerable population. Objective: To examine the relationship between digital literacy and social connectedness, loneliness, wellbeing, and quality of life (QOL) amongst older adults. To identify demographic factors associated with smartphone ownership, digital literacy, and willingness to enroll in a home-based digital literacy program. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Convenience sampling of older adults receiving financial aid or living in rental flat referred to a volunteer-led digital literacy program.Participants: 302 community dwelling older adults who are ≥55 years old. Main Outcomes: Smartphone ownership, self-reported digital literacy, willingness to enroll in a digital literacy program; social connectedness (Lubben Social Connectedness Scale, LSNS-6), loneliness (UCLA 3-item scale, UCLA-3), wellbeing (Personal Wellbeing Score), and QOL (EQ-5D-3L [utility index], EQ VAS). Results: Social digital literacy had a positive indirect effect on both the wellbeing and QOL (mediated by social connectedness and perceived loneliness) of older adults, while instrumental digital literacy had a negative indirect effect on the two outcomes. 59.9% of participants owned an internet-enabled phone (smartphone). The median digital literacy index is 3 (score ranging from 0 to 13). Older adults who are younger and more educated were more likely to own a smartphone; while older adults who are more educated, Chinese (ethnic majority), have a smartphone, and lower digital literacy index were more likely to enroll in a home-based digital literacy education program.Conclusions and Relevance: During the COVID-19 pandemic, community dwelling older adults of low SES are socially isolated, lonely, and have low digital literacy. Interventions to improve digital literacy (especially the social domain) may help to reduce social isolation and loneliness, ultimately improving wellbeing and QOL.