Life satisfaction in the internet age – Changes in the past decade

Abstract

Using data from large scale Annual Social Surveys of the CBS in Israel, the current study investigated the impact of internet adoption and internet uses on the life satisfaction of senior citizens (aged 65+), compared to those of working age (ages 20–64) during the decade of 2003–2012. The findings show high-medium levels of life satisfaction – higher in younger age group, compared to the senior citizens. Life satisfaction increased moderately over time among the younger age group, while among the older population it remained stable during the decade under study. Our main conclusion is that internet adoption and digital uses increase life satisfaction, after controlling for socio-demographic variables, sociability and health condition. In addition, internet adoption and digital uses can constitute an important channel for increasing life satisfaction among senior citizens and weaker social groups: people from low economic strata and those suffering from health problems that interfere with day-to-day functioning. Moreover, in contrast to other powerful factors impacting life satisfaction (income, religiosity, sociability and health problems) this factor can be changed with relative ease, if digital literacy becomes one of the important goals in the national agenda.