A rapid review of the effectiveness of interventions for addressing digital exclusion in older adults
Authors: Wale Alesha , Everitt Jordan , Ayres Toby , Okolie Chukwudi , Morgan Helen , Shaw Hannah , Edwards Rhiannon Tudor , Davies Jacob , Lewis Ruth , Cooper Alison , Edwards Adrian 
Published: March 2024

Older adults constitute the largest proportion of non-users of the internet. With the increasing digitalisation of services, in particular those provided in Social Care in Wales, it is important to understand how best to support older adults to overcome the challenges they face with accessing or engaging with the digital world (for personal use). This rapid review aimed to assess the effectiveness of interventions to address digital exclusion in older adults (aged 60 years and above). Digital exclusion can occur due to issues with motivation (if people do not see why the internet might be beneficial), accessibility (unable to physically access to the internet), ability (lack of skills to use the internet) or affordability (unable to afford access to the internet) of digital technology.

Research Implications and Evidence Gaps

The majority of studies included in this review were of low quality. It is unclear whether study findings would be generalisable to the UK. Outcome measures were heterogeneous across studies making it difficult to compare findings directly. Only one study assessed the cost-effectiveness of a digital education intervention. No study reported on interventions to address language barriers, for example, that may be experienced by people whose first language is not English. No study focused specifically on interventions to improve access to, or affordability of the internet and digital technologies to overcome digital exclusion. Further high-quality UK-based research is needed to better understand the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions for addressing digital exclusion in older adults.

Policy and Practice Implications

This rapid review highlighted thepotential benefits of a range of complex multi-component educational interventions, particularly with regards to improving digital literacy, and suggests that older adults are accepting of these interventions. To reduce digital exclusion in older adults, evidence suggests it may be important to ensure structural barriers, such as access to the internet and affordability of devices are removed. However, the cost of provision should be considered and assessed. Educational interventions may help to reduce perceptual barriers regarding digital technologies that contribute to digital exclusion including lack of confidence, fear and anxiety, or perceived lack of abilities. It is important to consider that older adults should be equipped with the skills to make an informed choice to interact with essential services physically (offline) or digitally. With the increasing digitalisation of services, it is important that older members of the community who do not wish to use digital technologies, are not left behind or disadvantaged.

Funding statement

Public Health Wales were funded for this work by the Health and Care Research Wales Evidence Centre, itself funded by Health and Care Research Wales on behalf of Welsh Government.