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.

摘要： 基于2018年中国老年社会追踪调查（CLASS2018）数据，采用线性回归分析、倾向值匹配和中介效应检验等方法，讨论是否使用互联网和互联网具体用途对老年人社会网络及孤独感的影响，重点探讨社会网络在互联网使用与老年人孤独感关系中的作用机制。结果表明，老年人使用互联网有助于拓展家庭网络和朋友网络，降低孤独感，家庭网络在互联网使用与老年人孤独感之间起中介作用。对于使用互联网的老年人来说，互联网人际交往类用途可扩大其社会网络，进而降低其孤独感，家庭网络在其中起中介作用；互联网信息获取类用途也可以降低其孤独感，但却会导致老年人社会网络的萎缩进而又加重其孤独感，家庭网络在其中起遮掩作用。因此，应鼓励老年人合理使用互联网，积极融入数字化社会，缓解孤独感。

关键词: 老年人, 互联网使用, 社会网络, 孤独感