The inclusion of the elderly in the digital era could positively impact their social and economic welfare. However, their level of Internet use is relatively low in Spain compared to other sectors of the population. The present study aims to explain the Internet use in this segment, capturing the heterogeneity across gender in the technology acceptance model (TAM). A sample of 492 individuals over 50 years old has been analyzed using the multigroup approach of structural equations models. The results show that although TAM is suitable for studying the phenomenon, it is necessary to consider how the gender gap in the Internet use development is real for seniors. Contrary to previous results that pointed to a greater importance of the ease of use for women than men among Internet users, male elders seem to perceive more usefulness due to higher levels of ease of use than woman. This ease of use is also better explained by the level of enjoyment for males. All these results point to unique gender differences for older adults in their Internet use.

En el presente estudio analizamos la evolución del concepto de la brecha digital para los mayores desde la perspectiva del envejecimiento activo y en el contexto de la utilización de las redes sociales como instrumento de comunicación. Consideramos que las variables socio-demográficas no tienen suficiente poder para explicar la utilización o no de las tecnologías de la comunicación (TIC) por los mayores. Las variables de corte psicológico, como la edad cognitiva, la ansiedad tecnológica o el nivel de audacia complementan a las anteriores, e incluso, pueden ser más explicativas del comportamiento del mayor con relación a la utilización de redes sociales. Los resultados provenientes de una muestra de mayores, alumnos del Aula de Experiencia de una universidad, nos permiten confirmar que nuestras dudas acerca del estereotipo de los mayores respecto a la brecha digital son acertadas y que las variables psicológicas sirven, en mayor grado, para mostrar las diferencias significativas existentes entre usuarios y no usuarios de redes sociales en cuanto a la determinación del perfil de los mismos. El usuario mayor de redes sociales se siente más joven, experimenta un menor nivel de ansiedad tecnológica y es más audaz. En general, las características psicológicas ofrecen, por tanto, mayor poder discriminante que las socio-demográficas, por ello proponemos el concepto de brecha psico-digitalThe present study analyzes the evolution of the concept of the digital gap with the elderly from the perspective of active ageing and in the context of the use of online social networks as a communication instrument. We consider that socio-demographic variables are not enough to explain the elderly’s use or non-use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Psychological variables, such as cognitive age, technology anxiety and the level of venturousness complement the former and can even explain more the elderly person’s behaviour regarding the use of online social networks. The results come from a sample of elderly people who are students of an Experience Classroom in a university. They allow us to confirm that our doubts about the stereotype of the elderly concerning the digital divide are correct and that the psychological variables serve to a greater extent to show the significant differences with respect to determining their profile. The elderly user of online social networks feels younger, experiences a lower level of technology anxiety and is more adventurous. In general, psychological characteristics therefore offer a more discriminant power than those that are socio-demographic. This is why we propose the concept of a psycho-digital divid

No abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose the study of the adoption and use of e-banking by adults over the age of 50, from the theoretical framework based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. Design/methodology/approach After proving the validity of the model, the authors analyse the heterogeneity of these persons by using a structural model-based latent class segmentation called partial least squares prediction-oriented segmentation. Findings The results enable the identifying of four segments with different behaviours with respect to this electronic service. As implications of the results obtained, it is observed how sociodemographic characteristics do not explain their differences. However, the psychographic as well as the cognitive age, self-confidence and audacity are discriminating and explanatory criteria for the behaviour of the four segments. Originality/value From the academic point of view, this paper offers important contributions to the prior literature. First, although there is an extensive literature on the use of internet banking, the authors have nevertheless found a clear lack of research studies related to the specific group of older adults. There are not many works that exclusively deal with the elderly’s acceptation and use of technologies, and even less so in the case of internet banking services. Also, if the elderly are focussed, then it is discovered that there is a socially shared stereotype that sees them as inexpert and cut off from technology. This is, however, an unfair view that conceals a broad diversity of behaviours as has been proved for the different segments found.

The second-level digital divide presents differences in people's capabilities of using information and communication technologies (ICT), especially in older adults. This paper focuses on exploring self-efficacy and anxiety in this group concerning the use of a specific e-service, internet banking service (IBS). Considering the triadic relation proposed in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), we include in the model of IBS use by older adults personal characteristics, such as self-efficacy, anxiety, perceived usefulness and gender with respect to the e-service chosen. We analyse the effect of perceived risks and social influence on these self-perceptions as environmental factors. This study is centred on a survey of 474 older adults, and tests the structural model proposed using PLS-SEM. The results show that there are important differences between self-efficacy and anxiety when we refer to technology in general compared with a specific e-Service. Furthermore, selfefficacy positively influences the perceived usefulness and the use of IBS. We note an 2 important role of the environment as a booster to overcome the barriers which may appear due to these self-perceptions. Finally, we find influences of older adults' gender in the relationship put forward in the causal model.