The effect of older adults’ information technology attitude and device efficacy on online social participation

The object of this study is to determine the effect of older people's acceptance of information technology on online social participation and to determine whether demographic characteristics moderate this relationship. Using data from a large-scale national survey conducted (2021 Digital Divide), which included 2,300 older adult participants in South Korea, the effect of older people's attitudes on and efficacy with digital devices on online social participation was verified. In addition, the additive multiple moderation of Process Macro Model 2 was used to verify whether the sex and age of older adults had a significant moderating effect. The results indicate the following. First, it was found that the attitude of older adults toward technology and their efficacy with digital devices had an effect on their online social participation. Sex and age also had a moderating effect on the relationship between digital attitudes, device efficacy, and online social participation. Second, the group showing the highest effect for device efficacy on online social participation was the youngest older adult man group. Third, the group showing the lowest effect for information technology attitude on online social participation was the oldest woman group.