Internet use, social isolation, and loneliness among older adults: A multi-wave analysis

This study investigated the longitudinal relationship between the frequency of internet use and loneliness in older adults in the UK, considering perceived social isolation. Data were obtained from Waves 9-14 of the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Linear mixed models were employed to examine the association between internet use, loneliness, and social isolation over time. The analytical sample comprised 13,704 adults aged 65 and above. The models controlled for sociodemographic and health-related covariates. The results suggested that infrequent internet users (including those with no internet access) experienced higher levels of loneliness compared to frequent internet users, especially daily users. The associations persisted even after adjusting the models for covariates. Participants who frequently felt socially isolated consistently reported the highest levels of loneliness, regardless of their level of digital engagement. A significant three-way interaction between wave, internet use, and social isolation revealed that differences between the socially isolated and non-isolated older adults were the largest during Waves 11-13 and narrowed by Wave 14. This shift may be an outcome of COVID-19, reflecting the pandemic’s lasting social impact. These findings support the Digital Divide framework. The frequency of internet use is associated with lower levels of loneliness in older adults who do not feel socially isolated; however, internet use alone may not be enough to fill the void of human interaction in those who feel socially isolated.