Our postdoctoral researcher, Javiera Rosell, is a co-author of the chapter titled “Digital Inclusion of Older Adults in Chile for Leisure and Entertainment: A Socio-Historical Analysis,” alongside Álvaro Vergés.

This publication is part of the book “Ageing in Latin America and the Caribbean: Critical Approaches and Practical Solutions” published by the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing.

The chapter aims to address the context of digital inclusion in Chile, particularly focusing on the older population. It seeks to understand the impact of Internet use on the mental health of older adults, taking into account historical situations and specific contexts of the country.

Findings

Internet use has significantly increased among the older population in Chile and globally. It has been observed that Internet use can have benefits for the mental health of older people, such as reduced depressive symptoms and increased life satisfaction. However, not all types of Internet use are necessarily beneficial. For example, information overload can lead to anxiety and self-isolation.

It is worth noting that online leisure and entertainment can be positive strategies for coping with complex situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, promoting online leisure and entertainment among the older population remains a challenge.

Conclusions

Addressing ageism and negative representations of aging is important, as they influence the perception of being able to use digital devices. This digital inclusion can be enhanced through factors such as social influence and platform usability.
More evidence is needed on the specific impact of certain activities on the mental health of older adults, such as the use of video games and virtual reality. Future research should consider evaluating the long-term effects of social events and changing contexts on mental health and the use of digital devices by older adults.