The promoting effect of internet use on the physical health of Chinese older adults: an empirical study based on the difference-in-differences model

Introduction. The widespread adoption of information technology (IT) has had a profound impact on economic and social development. With China confronting an increasingly serious aging population issue, it becomes critical to examine the effects of Internet use on the physical health of older adults...

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Main Authors: Haoyuan Sun, Zhenkang Fu, Zhengtong Pu, Qinghua Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Borås 2025-03-01
Series:Information Research: An International Electronic Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://publicera.kb.se/ir/article/view/46894
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author Haoyuan Sun
Zhenkang Fu
Zhengtong Pu
Qinghua Zhu
author_facet Haoyuan Sun
Zhenkang Fu
Zhengtong Pu
Qinghua Zhu
author_sort Haoyuan Sun
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. The widespread adoption of information technology (IT) has had a profound impact on economic and social development. With China confronting an increasingly serious aging population issue, it becomes critical to examine the effects of Internet use on the physical health of older adults. Method. This study seeks to investigate the impact of Internet use on older adults' physical health by employing a pooled cross-sectional difference-in-differences (DID) model, drawing on data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS) covering the years 2012 to 2021. Conclusions. The results demonstrate that Internet use significantly enhances the physical health of older adults, with these findings proving robust. Mechanism tests further reveal that Internet use contributes to improved physical health by increasing the frequency of physical exercise. Additionally, heterogeneity analysis indicates that the positive effects of Internet use are more pronounced among older adults in economically developed regions and those with poor self-perceived health.
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issn 1368-1613
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher University of Borås
record_format Article
series Information Research: An International Electronic Journal
spelling doaj-art-9c36deacd799441b9dad9904b2341acf2025-08-20T02:46:12ZengUniversity of BoråsInformation Research: An International Electronic Journal1368-16132025-03-0130iConf10.47989/ir30iConf46894The promoting effect of internet use on the physical health of Chinese older adults: an empirical study based on the difference-in-differences modelHaoyuan Sun0Zhenkang Fu1Zhengtong Pu2Qinghua Zhu3Nanjing University, China, People's Republic of ChinaNanjing University, China, People's Republic of ChinaNanjing University, China, People's Republic of ChinaNanjing University, China, People's Republic of China Introduction. The widespread adoption of information technology (IT) has had a profound impact on economic and social development. With China confronting an increasingly serious aging population issue, it becomes critical to examine the effects of Internet use on the physical health of older adults. Method. This study seeks to investigate the impact of Internet use on older adults' physical health by employing a pooled cross-sectional difference-in-differences (DID) model, drawing on data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS) covering the years 2012 to 2021. Conclusions. The results demonstrate that Internet use significantly enhances the physical health of older adults, with these findings proving robust. Mechanism tests further reveal that Internet use contributes to improved physical health by increasing the frequency of physical exercise. Additionally, heterogeneity analysis indicates that the positive effects of Internet use are more pronounced among older adults in economically developed regions and those with poor self-perceived health. https://publicera.kb.se/ir/article/view/46894Older AdultsInternet UsePhysical HealthChinaPooled Cross-Sectional DataDifference-in-Differences Model
spellingShingle Haoyuan Sun
Zhenkang Fu
Zhengtong Pu
Qinghua Zhu
The promoting effect of internet use on the physical health of Chinese older adults: an empirical study based on the difference-in-differences model
Information Research: An International Electronic Journal
Older Adults
Internet Use
Physical Health
China
Pooled Cross-Sectional Data
Difference-in-Differences Model
title The promoting effect of internet use on the physical health of Chinese older adults: an empirical study based on the difference-in-differences model
title_full The promoting effect of internet use on the physical health of Chinese older adults: an empirical study based on the difference-in-differences model
title_fullStr The promoting effect of internet use on the physical health of Chinese older adults: an empirical study based on the difference-in-differences model
title_full_unstemmed The promoting effect of internet use on the physical health of Chinese older adults: an empirical study based on the difference-in-differences model
title_short The promoting effect of internet use on the physical health of Chinese older adults: an empirical study based on the difference-in-differences model
title_sort promoting effect of internet use on the physical health of chinese older adults an empirical study based on the difference in differences model
topic Older Adults
Internet Use
Physical Health
China
Pooled Cross-Sectional Data
Difference-in-Differences Model
url https://publicera.kb.se/ir/article/view/46894
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