Abstract:
Addressing the intergenerational digital divide in rural areas is a crucial step towards the development of digital rural areas and the overall revitalization of rural areas in China. Currently, this divide is characterized by disparities in digital literacy, complex utilization of digital technology, imbalances in the digital product market, and limited adaptation of information technology for the elderly. To bridge this gap, it is essential to prioritize a people-centered development approach, uphold the government-led, village-guided and technology-empowered fundamentals. Additionally, optimizing the supply system of digital services in rural areas is crucial. This can be achieved by implementing comprehensive measures such as enhancing individual capacity, providing digital support for families, promoting peer communication and mutual assistance, and improving technological adaptation for the elderly. By closing the gaps caused by the digital divide and creating a favorable digital environment, the intergenerational digital divide in rural areas can effectively be bridged, thus advancing the construction of a digital China.