A new study published June 24, 2026 in an open access journal finds that different digital communication tools are differentially associated with mental health among older Canadians. PLOS Global Public Health By Hossam Ali Hassan et al. of York University, Canada.
Seniors are considered the fastest growing group on the internet, with 83% of Canadian seniors participating in online activities in 2022. Internet use is associated with reduced feelings of social isolation and loneliness. However, the literature also presents mixed findings regarding the impact of digital communication tools on the mental health of older adults, with some studies suggesting that digital behavior may be associated with poorer mental health.
In the new study, researchers analyzed data from the 2022 Canadian Internet Usage Survey, a cross-sectional survey conducted by Statistics Canada. The analysis was limited to adults aged 55 years and older and included 13,536 participants, weighted to be representative of the entire Canadian population aged 55 years and older. Data were available on participants’ online communication-related activities in the past 3 months, self-reported mental health, and sociodemographic factors.
More than half of the participants reported participating in digital communication activities. After adjusting for covariates, email use was significantly positively associated with perceived mental health (Adjβ=0.113; p<0.001), while social networking site use was associated with lower perceived mental health (Adjβ=-0.080; p=0.002). No significant associations were found between instant messaging, online voice or video calls, dating websites, or content uploading. The authors suggest that one possible explanation for the negative association between mental health perceptions and social media may be social comparison as well as exposure to distressing content.
”Understanding how digital communication tools are associated with mental health outcomes can inform policy and practice aimed at supporting the mental health of this age group.say the authors.The findings may help develop targeted interventions and strategies to support the mental health of older adults.”
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Reference magazines:
Zanjavadi, S., Others. (2026) Associations between digital communication tool use and mental health perceptions among Canadian older adults. PLOS Global Public Health. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0006540. https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0006540
