Social Participation of the Elderly in China: The Roles of Conventional Media, Digital Access and Social Media Engagement Abstract   China is the most rapidly aging country and has the largest aging population in the world. However, social participation is an important intervention to boost the active and healthy aging. The present study investigated the effects of media usage, together with socialdemographics and health variables, on Chinese older adults. Drawing upon a national research project with a representative sample (N1,399) of older adults (55) from 58 cities in China, the research findings revealed that conventional media, digital access and social media usage had positive effects on older adultsxe2x80x99 informal social participation, while age moderated the relationship between informal social participation and digital access, particularly regarding access to tablet PCs and smartphones. Moreover, conventional media, digital access and social media engagement largely explained digital seniorsxe2x80x99 formal social participation regardless of their socialdemographic backgrounds. Finally, the roles of conventional media and digital media in older adultsxe2x80x99 social participation are discussed.

Determinants of social gratifications obtained by older adults moderated by public supports for Internet access in Spain Abstract   As the standard of living constantly improves, and as life expectancy increases in developed countries, the number of adults who want to have a gratifying life increases as well. Furthermore, although the Internet offers a world of potentially rewarding experiences, there is much heterogeneity among older people with respect to those who are able to benefit from its use. To reduce this gap, public access and digital literacy programs have been implemented. The aim of the study was to find out the extent to which these programs moderate the effects of age and socioeconomic status on social access to and use of the Internet in a sample of older users in Spain. Through quota sampling of retired users over 54 years of age in Spain (N560), who were regular users of public supports for Internet access, a structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis was conducted. The data showed a staggered association of access indicators (physical access, digital skills and social eactivities) on the social gratifications obtained, as well as the moderating role of institutional supports. This study provides empirical evidence of the ability of public supports to moderate the effect of socioeconomics inequalities on access and social exploitation of the Internet by older people. The findings point to the need to strengthen digital literacy actions, especially in supports that are more sensitive to the effect of age and socioeconomic status.