Digital self-efficacy as a potential intermediary between vision impairment and daily internet use among older adults: A cross-sectional analysis of HINTS 2024

The study examined the relationship between vision impairment and digital technology use among 3,149 older adults (mean age 70.7 years) from the national HINTS 2024 survey. Vision impairment was reported by 7.1% of participants. Among those with vision impairment, 65.6% used the internet daily and 79.5% used a smartphone in the past 12 months. The research found that vision impairment was associated with lower odds of daily internet use and lower digital self-efficacy. Digital self-efficacy was associated with higher odds of daily internet use. The analysis showed that reduced digital self-efficacy may partially explain the association between vision impairment and internet use. The authors recommend interventions targeting digital self-efficacy, including accessible interface designs, personalized coaching, and peer support.