More seniors in China growing addicted to the internet; loneliness, boredom cited as key reasons

Seniors learning to use smartphones under the guidance of workers at a care centre in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on Oct 23. - China Daily/ANN

BEIJING: China’s growing elderly population is showing signs of internet addiction driven by loneliness and a lack of social engagement, prompting experts to call for greater family support and stronger fraud prevention efforts to protect seniors from online scams.

“My father is crazy about watching live-streaming shows on Douyin – the Chinese version of TikTok – and tipping female streamers. He starts watching very early in the morning and sometimes stays up late for the shows. He spent about 10,000 yuan (S$1,820) tipping streamers in December,” said 46-year-old resident Wang Qingfeng of Shaoxing in the eastern province of Zhejiang.