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第4期 总第135期 南京医科大学学报（社会科学版）京医科大学学报（社会科学版） ·
南
2026年8月 Journal of Nanjing Medical University（Social Sciences）of Nanjing Medical University（Social Sciences） · 345
Journal
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［28］ Li J，Zhou X. Internet use and Chinese older adults’ （本文编辑：姜 鑫）

From access to benefits: the impact of digital network use on mental

health among older adults

Wang Lianjie，Zhai Honghe
School of Law，Jiangnan University，Wuxi 214122，China
Abstract：Based on data from the 2020 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey （CLASS），this study
empirically examines the impact of digital network use on the mental health of older adults，and conducts
heterogeneity analysis and mechanism tests. The results show that digital network use reduces depressive mood
scores among older adults and improves their episodic memory and mental status scores. This finding remains
valid after addressing endogeneity and conducting robustness tests. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the
positive effect of digital network use on mental health is more significant among older adults aged 70 and
above，those who do not live alone，and those with a certain level of self⁃care ability. In addition，different
types of digital network use have varying effects on the mental health of older adults. Personal attitudes toward
aging and the level of social adaptation moderate the relationship between digital network use and the mental
health of older adults. The findings suggest that efforts should be made to improve the digital literacy of older
adults，promote the digital inclusion of the marginalized older population，and emphasize the positive effects of
digital networks on the mental health of older adults.
Key words：Internet；digital technology；older adults；mental health；depressive tendency