Introduction / Rationale: Digital technology (DT) offers opportunities for occupational engagement and participation in later life. However, digital ageism – stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination based on age in digital contexts – creates occupational injustices that limit access, autonomy, and meaningful engagement for older adults. While DT is often framed as a tool to promote Successful Aging, the intersection of ageism, digital participation, and occupational performance remains underexplored.
Objectives: This theoretical synthesis introduces the Digital Engagement and Ageism (D-EngAge) model, which examines how digital ageism impacts occupational participation across micro- (individual), meso- (social interaction), and macro-levels (societal discourses and policies).
Methods / Approach: The model is grounded in a synthesis of findings from 12 recent studies and applies Iversen’s four-dimensional framework of ageism to illustrate the reciprocal relationship between digital engagement and age-related biases.
Results / Practice Implications: The study critically examines how digital ageism reinforces occupational marginalization, restricting opportunities for older adults to engage in essential and meaningful occupations in the digital realm. Furthermore, it challenges the dominant discourse of Successful Aging, highlighting structural barriers and power imbalances in digital access and use.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession: By integrating an occupational justice lens, this study advocates for inclusive design, policy interventions, and targeted strategies to combat digital ageism. Addressing these injustices is essential to ensuring equitable participation in digital occupations, thereby fostering agency, social inclusion, and well-being in later life.