数字经济时代老年人数字适应力对其消费潜力的释放效应研究OACHSSCD

The digital revolution has swept across the globe,significantly unleashing the potential of domestic demand and becoming a key driver of economic growth.However,the elderly face numerous obstacles in integrating into digital life due to their lower digital adaptability,and their consumption potential remains underutilized and unreleased.This has,to a certain extent,constrained the room for unlocking domestic demand.Based on data from the 2020 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey,this study establishes an indicator system of digital adaptability for the elderly,examining the impact of digital adaptability on elderly consumption.The findings reveal that digital adaptability has a significant positive impact on elderly consumption.Digital adaptability effectively boosts elderly consumption levels while also improving their consumption structure and facilitating their transition from a basic consumption pattern to a developmental consumption pattern.The moderating effects indicates that the boosting effect of digital adaptability on consumption levels is more pronounced among low-income elderly,helping to narrow the consumption gap between elderly individuals across different income levels.Heterogeneity analysis further shows that the positive effect is more evident among those who are older,in poor health,or residing in rural areas,thereby enhancing the consumption levels of vulnerable groups.In addition,as foundational skills for consumption digitalization,online social skills and online payment skills exert the most significant boosting effect on the consumption levels of the elderly,serving as a crucial entry point for initiating their engagement in digital consumption.The findings hold significant theoretical and practical implications for fully unleashing the consumption potential of the elderly,promoting the development of the silver economy,and further expanding domestic demand.