Table 1 Variable description

 Health

Self-rated health level;

1 = very poor; 2 = poor; 3 = average; 4 = good; 5 = very good

1

5

3.27

0.80

 Usage

Whether use smartphone;

1 = yes; 0 = no

0

1

0.34

0.47

 Ability

Smartphone usage ability;

1 = very poor; 2 = poor; 3 = average; 4 = strong; 5 = very strong

1

5

4.07

1.45

 Purpose

Whether use smart phone to search for learning and health information;

1 = yes; 0 = no

0

1

0.61

0.48

 Gender

Gender of elderly;

1 = male; 0 = female

0

1

0.68

0.46

 Age

Age of elderly;

1 = 55-60 years old; 2 = 61-65 years old; 3 = 66-70 years old; 4 = 71-75 years old; 5 = 76-80 years old; 6 = over 80 years old

1

6

3.11

1.34

 Edu

Education level of elderly;

1 = primary school or below; 2 = junior high school; 3 = senior high school/technical secondary school; 4 = University; 5 = master degree or above

1

5

3.19

0.80

 Spouse

Living with spouse;

1 = yes; 0 = no

0

1

0.54

0.49

 Children

Living with children;

1 = yes; 0 = no

0

1

0.14

0.35

 SC

Living with spouse and children;

1 = yes; 0 = no

0

1

0.25

0.43

 Conditions

Children’s living conditions;

1 = poor; 2 = average; 3 = good; 4 = very good

1

4

2.69

0.68

 Number

Number of children;

1 = 0; 2 = 1-2; 3 = 3-5; 4 = 6 and over

1

4

2.42

0.53

 Income

Elderly’s monthly income;

1 = 1000 yuan and below; 2 = 1000-2000 yuan; 3 = 2000-3000 yuan; 4 = 3000-4000 yuan; 5 = 4000 yuan and over

1

5

3.45

0.90

 Retirement

1 = yes; 0 = no

0

1

0.83

0.37

 Emp

Employed after retirement;

1 = yes; 0 = no

0

1

0.11

0.31

 Business

Own business;

1 = yes; 0 = no

0

1

0.02

0.14

 Residence

Place of residence;

1 = rural; 2 = towns; 3 = counties, cities, and districts

1

3

2.94

0.28

 Number of samples