Internet Use and Well-Being of Older Adults Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from European Social Survey

Abstract

The present study examined older adults’ use of digital technology and its relation to perceived well-being before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Three cross-sectional survey data from the European Social Survey (ESS) were employed including ESS8–2016 (n = 10,618, Mean age = 73.59 ± 6.76 years; 54.4% female), ESS9–2018 (n = 13,532, Mean age = 73.85 ± 6.58 years; 55.9% female), and ESS10–2020 (n = 4,894, Mean age = 73.49 ± 6.40 years; 59.0% female). Results showed that there was a tendency to increase Internet use on a daily basis across different European countries before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Old age, low education, being widowed, and living in a household with more than five household members were salient factors that are correlated with lower levels of Internet use. Internet use was positively associated with happiness and life satisfaction, and negatively associated with poor general health.