The contradiction between the elderly and digitalization is becoming more and more apparent as a result of the two main backgrounds of population aging and digital economy development. Helping the elderly cross the "digital divide" and move towards "digital inclusion" is a public issue that needs attention and resolution at multiple levels. Understanding the influence of digital inclusion on the subjective well-being of the elderly not only deepens the cognition of elderly’s characteristics but also helps capture the actual needs of the elderly for digital products and services, which provides insights to assist the elderly to adapt to technological progress and integrate into the digital era, and has profound significance in enhancing the elderly well-being and promoting the implementation of active ageing strategy. Based on activity theory, digital divide theory, and social participation theory, this study examines how digital inclusion affects older people's subjective well-being and its trajectory. We use data from social surveys to conduct empirical research by multiple linear regression and stepwise regression analysis. This study finds that: (1) the overall digital inclusion of the elderly is not optimistic, and the digital skills of the elderly need to be further improved. (2) Digital inclusion has a significant positive influence on the subjective well-being of the elderly. (3) Social participation has a significant mediating effect on the influence of digital inclusion on the subjective well-being of the elderly. The improvement of the digital inclusion level of the elderly can increase their social participation and thus improve their subjective well-being. (4) The influence of digital inclusion on subjective well-being of the elderly has significant regional heterogeneity. According to the results of this study, the following countermeasures are proposed: building digital connection, enhancing elderly digital skills training and creating a secure digital environment.

Elderly, Digital Inclusion, Subjective Well-being, Social Participation