The efficacy and tendency of the gender digital divide and Smart Aging Policy in China.

Abstract

China is one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world, challenging the sustainable aging. The booming of digital technology is a double-edged sword. According to the Smart Aging Policies (SAPs), digital technology is supposed to be an effective way to address the challenges of the elder care system. However, the digital divide is causing additional problems. In this study, researchers aim to investigate whether the digital divide among older people could lead to gender-based discrepancies in elder care utilization, using data from the "China Elder Care Satisfaction Survey (CECSS)." Through logit regression analysis, in this study, researchers assessed the relationship between gender and digital elder care utilization, indicating the presence of a gender digital divide among older people. Our findings have important implications for facilitating minority groups to benefit more from SAPs and for advancing research on the gender digital divide among elders to promote sustainable aging.