Objective To explore the impact of digital exclusion on cognitive function among rural older adults and to examine the chain mediation effects of social isolation and depression between digital exclusion and cognitive function.Methods Data of 5,941 rural older adults aged 60 and above were extracted from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).The chain mediation effects of social isolation and depression in the relationship between digital exclusion and cognitive function were analyzed.Results The prevalence of digital exclusion among rural older adults was 98.30%.The cognitive function score was 18.36±6.48, social isolation score was 1.00（1.00，2.00）, and depression score was 8.00（4.00，14.00）.Mediation analysis showed that the direct effect of digital exclusion on cognitive function was significant (β′=-0.243).The mediating effects of social isolation (β′=-0.111) and depression (β′=-0.017) on cognitive function were significant as well.Moreover, a significant chain mediation effect of social isolation and depression was observed (β=-0.003).Conclusion Digital exclusion has a direct impact on cognitive function among rural older adults and also exerts indirect effects through social isolation and depression.Efforts should be made to actively promote the integration of elderly individuals into the digital society, strengthen the identification of risks rela-ted to social isolation and depression, and timely provide necessary support and psychological interventions.