关键词: 老年人, 互联网使用, 社会网络, 孤独感

Abstract: Based on the data of 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS2018), this study utilizes the propensity score matching, linear regression models, and bootstrap mediating effect tests to explore whether the Internet use and the specific purposes of Internet use (interpersonal communication or information seeking) would affect the social networks and loneliness of older adults. This study focuses on the role of social networks in linking Internet use and loneliness among older adults. Results show that using internet can expand older adults family and friendship ties and decrease their feelings of loneliness. Family ties act as partial mediators in associating Internet use and loneliness. Interpersonal communication achieved by Internet use can increase the social networks, and family ties also play a mediating role in associating interpersonal communication through Internet with loneliness. Although information seeking can decrease the loneliness of older adults directly, it damages the social networks and further increases the loneliness. Family ties act as a suppressor in the association between information seeking and loneliness. Therefore, older adults should be encouraged to use the Internet reasonably, and actively integrate into the digital society, so as to decrease the loneliness.