Aging in cyberspace: Internet use and quality of life of older Chinese migrants

Jingjing Zhang

doi:10.1186/s40711-016-0045-y

Abstract

In the transnational and digital era, the Internet plays an important role in the postmigration lives of many older migrants. This article explores how Internet use contributes to the quality of life of older Chinese migrants through the analysis of 19 qualitative interviews conducted in New Zealand. The results show that older migrants use the Internet to combat postmigration loneliness, to strengthen local and international social connectedness, and to cope with difficulties while settling in the host society. These findings suggest that older migrants use the Internet as a strategy not only to deal with issues related to aging but also to compensate for the losses and challenges caused by migration. In the migration context, independence fostered by the Internet is particularly highlighted as a key element in quality of life. By interrogating the roles the Internet plays in older Chinese migrants’ day-to-day postmigration interactions, this article provides insights into their quality of life in a transnational context.

Highlights

In the current digital era, the Internet plays an important role in the daily life of migrants
Data presented in this article were drawn from a larger qualitative study that aimed to understand the perceptions of social support and quality of life of older Chinese migrants living in New Zealand
Given that the main purpose of this article is to explore the relationship between Internet use and quality of life of older Chinese migrants, the analysis mainly focuses on the interviews with the 19 Internet users

Summary

Introduction

In the current digital era, the Internet plays an important role in the daily life of migrants. It helps facilitate their settlement and adjustment to a new society, strengthen connections with their homeland, and develop a transnational lifestyle (e.g., Bailey et al 2007; Khvorostianov et al 2012). The major uses of the Internet, including emailing, searching for information, online shopping, e-banking, and entertainment (Nie 2001), help older people maintain connections in their social relationships, enhance their physical and mental health, and have more leisure options (Gatto and Tak 2008; Kamal and Patil 2004; Pew Internet and American Life Project 2004)

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Conclusion