Key Challenges and Barriers to Digital Literacy for Older Adults: Scoping Review

Despite rising internet use in Canada, older adults continue to face significant barriers in adopting and using digital technologies. Digital literacy among older adults extends beyond technical proficiency, encompassing adaptation to new technologies, overcoming age-related limitations, and addressing socioeconomic disparities. Limited digital skills hinder social participation, access to essential services, and engagement with eHealth technologies, exacerbating disparities in health outcomes.

This scoping review aimed to identify key barriers to digital literacy among older adults, synthesizing evidence from existing literature to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges older adults face in adopting and utilizing digital technologies.