The Digital Divide of Older People in Communities: Urban-Rural, Gender, and Health Disparities and Inequities

The digital divide (DD) of older people is widening due to the rapid adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) and the effects of COVID-19. This study aims to explore the impact of urban-rural, gender, and health inequalities on the DD of older people. First, the survey collected data on the use of ICT and the DD of older people (N = 624) in urban-rural communities. Then, an evaluation index system for the DD of older people was constructed. The DD indices for older people and the weights of indicators can be calculated via the entropy weight method (EWM). Next, linear and hierarchical regressions were applied to analyze the disparities in the DD of older people in urban-rural areas, gender, and health. Finally, the heterogeneity of the access divide (AD), use divide (UD), and knowledge divide (KD) were analyzed. The results indicated that the DD and KD of older people in rural communities are significantly higher than those in urban communities, mainly because of the poor infrastructure conditions in rural areas. Moreover, the migration of youth to work also reduced opportunities for intergenerational support. DD, AD, and UD were higher for older females than for older males because older females are more restricted by access to and use of digital technology. In addition, the poorer the health of older people is, the higher the AD and UD. Focusing on urban-rural, gender, and health disparities helps bridge the DD among older people and is critical to the sustainable development of digitally inclusive aging societies.