China’s rapidly aging demographic is experiencing a concerning surge in internet addiction, driven primarily by loneliness and diminished social engagement. This emerging trend has prompted mental health experts and aging researchers to call for enhanced family support systems and robust fraud protection measures to safeguard vulnerable seniors from online exploitation.
Case studies reveal the depth of this growing problem. Wang Qingfeng, a 46-year-old resident of Shaoxing in Zhejiang province, describes his 70-year-old father’s compulsive behavior: “He’s become obsessed with Douyin livestreams, tipping female performers excessively. He begins watching at dawn and sometimes continues late into the night, spending approximately 10,000 yuan in December alone.” This pattern emerged after Wang’s father relocated from rural Anhui province following his wife’s passing in 2023, leaving him socially isolated with digital entertainment as his primary outlet.
The phenomenon extends beyond livestreaming addiction. Numerous families report elderly parents developing compulsive behaviors including binge-watching paid minidramas, purchasing questionable health products online, and engaging excessively with computer games. Many adult children have turned to online forums seeking guidance, drawing parallels between their parents’ current digital obsessions and their own teenage internet behaviors.
Recent data from the China Internet Network Information Center reveals the scale of senior internet adoption. As of December 2025, approximately 54% of Chinese citizens aged 60 and above were active internet users within a total national user base of 1.125 billion.
Psychological experts attribute this trend to fundamental social changes. “Elderly individuals often experience reduced social significance in both familial and professional contexts as they age, creating a void that digital platforms fill,” explains Wang Wenda, Director of Psychological Health Education at Xinhua College of Ningxia University. “The internet provides an escape mechanism and offers perceived respect and control through activities like tipping streamers or online shopping.”
Clinical indicators of internet addiction among seniors include disrupted daily routines, uncontrollable spending behaviors, credence given to unreliable online information, and irritability when separated from digital devices.
Yang Xiaoqi, researcher at the China Research Center on Aging, identifies loneliness combined with the internet’s intense stimulation as primary catalysts for this dependency. With advancing artificial intelligence further blurring digital authenticity, experts warn that addicted seniors face heightened vulnerability to sophisticated online fraud schemes.
Comprehensive solutions require multifaceted approaches. Mental health professionals recommend helping seniors rediscover personal value through real-world activities like grandchild care, pet ownership, and community engagement. Practical measures include family-negotiated screen time limits and payment platform restrictions. Simultaneously, government initiatives utilizing big data analytics and targeted push notifications could significantly enhance anti-fraud education among elderly demographics.