Digital Citizenship for Older Migrants in Australia: The Need for a Comprehensive Policy Framework

Abstract

The digital citizenship of older migrants in Australia is a complex picture. As older adults, they are part of one of the least digitally included groups; yet, as migrants, they also represent one of the most digitally included groups. Drawing on ethnographic research documenting the experiences of older migrants, we argue that digital citizenship is vital to their wellbeing, evident in the practices and processes of ‘digital kinning’ that support their transnational care networks (Baldassar and Wilding, ‘Migration, aging, and digital kinning: The role of distant care support networks in experiences of aging well’. The Gerontologist, 60(2): 313-321, 2020). Access to digital technologies is also a significant equity issue, given the increasing shift of critical health and aged care service delivery from face-to-face to online platforms, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We examine the uneven nature of access to both digital infrastructure and digital literacy initiatives, including in residential aged care settings. In conclusion, we call for a comprehensive policy framework to safeguard their digital inclusion.