Beyond ICT Skills: Community Participation and Relational Support in the Formation of Digital Inclusion Among Older Adults

With population aging accelerating in recent years, digital inclusion among older adults has become an important social issue (Helsper, 2012). Conventional ICT support programs for older adults have often focused on acquiring technical skills, such as how to use smartphones and applications. However, limited attention has been paid to the processes and conditions through which older adults become involved in digital activities.This study examined factors supporting digital participation among older adults using questionnaire data and open-ended responses collected from a total of 255 participants in community-based senior programs conducted in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Quantitative analyses showed that higher age was associated with lower levels of digital use. At the same time, participant characteristics appeared to differ depending on the program theme. In particular, non-IT hobby-oriented programs, including flower arrangement and reading aloud activities, had relatively smaller proportions of participants with high levels of digital use. Analysis of continued participation further indicated that 39.3% of the estimated 135 unique participants attended two or more sessions, with some individuals participating up to six times. These findings suggest that digital inclusion among older adults may develop not only through ICT skills training but also through continued participation in community-based activities.Analysis of open-ended responses revealed frequent references to “enjoyment,” “ease of understanding,” “individualized support,” and “social interaction.” Among participants with lower levels of digital use, careful explanations and individualized assistance were evaluated positively. In contrast, participants in non-IT hobby-oriented programs more often referred to “interaction” and “enjoyment,” while direct references to practical ICT functions were limited.Taken together, the findings suggest that digital inclusion among older adults may be shaped not only by ICT skills education but also by relational and community-based factors, including hobby activities, feelings of security, interpersonal support, and social participation. This study highlights the importance of community-based approaches in supporting older adults and introduces the perspective of social participation into research on digital inclusion.