TILDA research highlights importance of digital inclusion for quality of life in older age
Posted on 15 April 2026
Digital exclusion and its impact on everyday life were the focus of a recent discussion on RTÉ Radio 1 with David McCullagh.
Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of TILDA, contributed to the discussion, highlighting evidence from TILDA on internet access and digital engagement among older adults in Ireland. The programme also featured Sean Moynihan, CEO of ALONE, and Irish Independent columnist Mary McCarthy.
The discussion explored how increasing digitalisation is shaping access to essential services, financial management, and social participation, and highlighted the challenges faced by some individuals navigating an increasingly digital society.
What TILDA shows
Findings from TILDA’s 2020 report on internet access and use among adults aged 50 and over in Ireland show that 71% of adults aged 50+ have internet access in their homes, with access declining significantly with age.
For example, while 86% of those aged 50–69 have home internet access, this falls to just 38% among those aged 80 and over. The report also highlights inequalities in access, with 30% of adults aged 50+ living alone without internet access at home.
At the same time, many older adults are active internet users, using digital technologies for everyday activities such as accessing information, communicating, and managing finances.
Digital engagement and quality of life
More recent research using TILDA data highlights the broader implications of digital engagement for ageing. A 2022 study using TILDA data by Mohan and Lyons found that older adults who use the internet more frequently, particularly on a daily basis, report higher quality of life.
The study also found that engagement in activities such as email, video calls, information searching and online financial transactions is associated with better quality of life outcomes, and that access to high-speed broadband supports greater internet use and engagement.
A complex relationship with loneliness
While digital engagement is associated with improved quality of life, the relationship with loneliness is less clear. The study found limited evidence that internet use reduces loneliness, highlighting that while digital technologies can support connection, they do not replace the importance of in-person social relationships.
Supporting positive and inclusive ageing
Taken together, TILDA research shows that digital technologies play an increasingly important role in shaping how people age, influencing access to services, opportunities for participation, and overall quality of life.
As Ireland continues to digitise, ensuring equitable access to digital technologies, infrastructure, and skills will be essential to supporting positive ageing for all.
Listen to the RTÉ Radio 1 discussion HERE
Read the TILDA report on internet access and use HERE
Read the full research paper by Mohan and Lyons (2022) HERE
Written by Dr Deirdre O'Connor, Research Communications Manager