Objective: This study explores the willingness of older adults to use smartphones and improve their digital skills and encourages nursing to actively participate in bridging the digital divide.
Methods: Subject analysis was used to conduct qualitative research, and 23 older adults were interviewed.
Results: We identified four themes: (1) the current situation of smartphone use; (2) the digital dilemma of smartphone use; (3) social support for digital skills; and (4) the willingness to learn digital skills. Older adults in China are willing to accept and use smartphones for simple operations, and peer learning may be an effective way to improve their digital skills.
Conclusion: Community support is necessary to develop the digital skills of older adults with smartphones and reduce the digital divide to the greatest extent possible. Nursing may play a role in promoting digital inclusion for older adults.
Keywords: Digital inclusion; Nursing; Older adults; Qualitative research; Smartphone use.
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