Digital Consumption, Episodic Memory and Cognitive Ability of Middle-aged and Elderly people: Findings from CHARLS Data

Objectives: We use data from the China Health and Elderly Tracking Survey (CHARLS) database in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2020, as well as data from pilot cities for information consumption in China, to examine the impact of digital consumption on the cognitive abilities of middle-aged and elderly people (hereafter ‘M&E people’). Methods: We take the digital economy era and an aging population society as the research background, and use China's information consumption pilot policy as a quasi natural experiment to examine the impact of digital consumption on the cognitive abilities of M&E people using a multi-phase difference-in-differences model. Results: Our analysis shows that digital consumption has a significant negative impact on the cognitive abilities of M&E people. Furthermore, We found through mechanism testing that digital consumption can reduce the cognitive ability of M&E people by weakening episodic memory. Additionally, The impact of digital consumption on the cognitive abilities of M&E people shows heterogeneity. It has a more pronounced detrimental effect on the cognitive abilities of women, married individuals, retirees, and those with lower levels of education. Finally, we found through threshold effect testing that the adverse effects of digital consumption on the cognitive abilities of M&E people intensify with age, especially for those over 60 years old who have a significant inhibitory effect on their cognitive abilities. Conclusion: Digital consumption significantly reduces the cognitive abilities of M&E people. Two recommendations are as follows: 1) Promoting digital consumption should focus on the needs of M&E people, provide training, simplify processes, develop user-friendly interfaces, and provide clear guidance. 2) Pay attention to the psychology of M&E people, help them overcome fear, enhance confidence, and experience the advantages of digital consumption through community activities.