Abstract: 【Purpose/significance】The older adults are expected to learn to use information technologies, such as smartphones and apps, in order to bridge the digital divide of the older adults. While current studies focus on understanding factors affecting information technology adoption and usage of the oder adults, little is known about the influence of information technology usage on older adults 'psychological well-being. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between WeChat use and depressive symptoms among older adults in China and whether social participation mediates the pathway【. Method/process】We included 8,122 participants aged 60 and older from the latest wave of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2018. Linear regression was con‐
ducted to examine the relationship among WeChat use, social participation, and depression, modeling possible mediation pathways.【Result/conclusion】Our results showed that only 524 (6.5%) participants used WeChat and that WeChat use was associated with a lower level of depression. In addition, such an association was partially mediated by social participation.【Innovation/limitation】Our findings suggested that in addition to public cultural services and community services for the older adults to aid the use of information technology and bridge the digital divide, we should take the advantages of social media apps to improve older adults’social participa‐tion, thus enhancing the the well-being of older adults.