Digital Competence, Online Engagement, and Social Well-Being Among Elderly People in Nepal

Abstract

Digital literacy has become a crucial concept for social engagement and well-being in a digital world; however, the relationship between digital literacy and well-being in low and middle-income nations remains underexplored. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed to assess digital literacy, access to digital devices, perceived obstacles, and social well-being among individuals aged 60 and above in Ward No. 4, Budhanilkantha Municipality, Kathmandu, Nepal. The respondents were selected using a simple random sampling approach, and data were gathered using a structured questionnaire. The results indicated a modest average digital literacy score (M = 15.75 out of 25), with a pronounced focus on the communicative dimension of digital literacy, with notable disparities in information navigation and digital safety literacy. Access devices were predominantly family-mediated, and digital training was often not organized. The most significant factors in terms of impact on digital competence have been education and income; income is a marginal factor. Overall social well-being scores were quite moderate to high (M = 21.95) and were reasonably consistent across age and place of residence, suggesting that social well-being exists beyond the digital world and is supported by traditional family and community structures. The results indicate the urgent need for interventions that promote digital literacy among community-based older adults, are linguistically accessible, and build confidence.