DIGITAL VULNERABILITY AMONG OLDER ADULTS INCONTEMPORARY SOCIETY: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF INCLUSION IN A CONNECTED WORLD

Abstract

The simultaneous growth of population aging and the digitalization of everyday life has expanded the participation of older adults in connected environments, fostering communication, access to information, and social participation. However, digital inclusion does not automatically translate into protection or meaningful participation in these spaces. This qualitative, exploratory study analyzes vulnerabilities associated with the digital exposure of older adults, focusing on informational, relational, behavioral, and financial dimensions. Based on an interdisciplinary literature review, the study discusses challenges related to information disorder, virtual fraud, paradoxical isolation, and the consequences of excessive technology use. The findings indicate that digital vulnerability among older adults does not stem exclusively from chronological age, but rather from the interaction between structural inequalities, insufficient digital literacy, and the lack of institutional support proportional to the specific demands of this population. It is concluded that digital inclusion policies must go beyond expanding technical access, incorporating educational, protective, and intersectoral strategies that promote autonomy and safety.