A Study on the Influence of New Media on the Social Adaptability of the Aged in China

Abstract

This paper investigates the development of new media in China and the current situation of China's aging population. Based on the definition of the social adaptability of the aging population, it analyzes the influence mechanism of new media on it in China. The results show that, compared with traditional media, new media significantly improves the cognitive ability, social participation level, social relations, and social psychological adaptation ability of the aged. This paper also analyzes the "digital divide" faced by the aged in integrating into new media from the aspects of desire, access, and skill. Meanwhile, different policy suggestions are put forward from the national to the individual level to promote the integration of the elderly into the digital new media so as to help them better adapt to society.