Digital Bridge or Barrier? A Study on the Acceptance and Rejection of "Elder Mode" in Apps by Older Adults

As China enters a moderately aging society, the elderly population faces the risk of marginalization in the digital age, highlighting the issue of the digital divide. This study focuses on the acceptance and rejection of the "Elderly Mode" in apps by older adults, using WeChat, Taobao, and TikTok as examples. It explores the user experience, usage intentions, and influencing factors among the elderly. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as the research framework, the study analyzes influencing factors from three aspects: attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. A qualitative research method was employed, with 13 individuals aged 60 and above interviewed via phone through snowball sampling. The findings reveal that most respondents provided negative feedback on the "Elder Mode," citing deficiencies in perceived usefulness, ease of use, and compatibility, such as limited functionality, complex settings, and misalignment with their needs. However, a few respondents appreciated features like enlarged fonts. Usage intention was influenced by factors such as the need for knowledge acquisition and convenience in daily life. Nonetheless, barriers such as physical limitations, operational complexity, low self-efficacy, lack of social support, and concerns about security and economic transparency hindered adoption. Future efforts should focus on optimizing the design of the "Elderly Mode," enhancing social support, and improving trust and acceptance among older adults to better integrate them into the digital lifestyle and society.