Internet Use and Loneliness in Older Adults

TLDR

Internet use by seniors may alter older adults’ social relationships. An online questionnaire surveyed 222 Australians over 55 about their Internet use. Respondents mainly used the Internet for communication, information, and commerce; increased communication use lowered social loneliness, whereas searching for new people raised emotional loneliness, and overall loneliness was negatively correlated with well‑being.

Abstract

Use of the Internet by seniors as a communication technology may lead to changes in older adult social relationships. This study used an online questionnaire to survey 222 Australians over 55 years of age on Internet use. Respondents primarily used the Internet for communication, seeking information, and commercial purposes. The results showed negative correlations between loneliness and well-being. Multiple regression analyses revealed that greater use of the Internet as a communication tool was associated with a lower level of social loneliness. In contrast, greater use of the Internet to find new people was associated with a higher level of emotional loneliness.