Study on the Dilemma of Smart Payment for the Elderly and Its Solution Paths From the Perspective of the Digital Divide and Knowledge-Gap Theory

China is in an accelerated phase of deep aging. By the end of 2024, the population aged 60 and above had reached 310 million. While smart payment has become the mainstream, the elderly group faces significant difficulties in using it due to the digital divide. Based on the Digital Divide Theory and Knowledge-Gap Theory, this paper explores the dilemmas of the elderly in using smart payment and the corresponding solution paths, using data from 135 questionnaires covering more than 30 provincial-level administrative regions across the country. The study finds that the "three-level barriers" under the Digital Divide Theory and the "information differentiation" under the Knowledge-Gap Theory have jointly led to the elderly facing such dilemmas as insufficient operational skills, prominent security anxiety, poor physiological adaptation, narrow usage scenarios, and single social support. Accordingly, the following suggestions are put forward: The government should coordinate policies and digital literacy education; financial institutions should upgrade elderly-friendly products and branch services; payment platforms need to optimize functions and user guidance; and society should organize voluntary assistance and exchange activities. Multiple subjects should work together to help the elderly integrate into the digital payment environment.