Keeping silver surfers on the crest of a wave – older people's ICT learning and support needs

Abstract

Purpose -There is recognition that digital ICTs have the potential to support older people to live independently, to ''age well'', to promote social inclusion and to facilitate access to commercial and government services. Research conducted by the Sus-IT project under the ''New Dynamics of Ageing'' Programme has focused on how to help older ICT users to remain digitally engaged given the barriers that they can face and which can quickly erode their confidence or capability. Access to appropriate learning and support resources is a key issue for sustaining older ICT users. The aim of this paper is to investigate older people's ICT learning and support needs.Design/methodology/approach -Older people themselves have been central to the research; more than 1,000 older people have participated in this research through open workshops, established formal and informal panels and groups across the UK, and through contacts with a number of organisations working with older people. Key research users (e.g. organisations representing older people and those providing services and products to be used by older people) have also collaborated in the research in a variety of roles. Findings -Findings show that older people value very highly the benefits and independence that computer use gives them, and they are often exceptionally tenacious in trying to remain digitally connected -persisting in the face of many obstacles, and often without awareness or use of existing aids to accessibility. If disengagement begins, it is usually a gradual process, rather than a single event, and likely to result from a combination of factors -changes in physical and cognitive abilities, in support, in technology and in personal circumstances. The availability of help and support emerges as a factor of paramount importance to sustaining digital connection.Practical implications -The conceptual model of the risks of sustaining digital engagement of older people arising from the research has significant implications for both policy and practicefor instance, in relation to ''digital by default''. A user-generated strategy for provision of sustainable, community-based ICT learning and support for older people is a key output from Sus-IT.Originality/value -The issues surrounding sustaining digital inclusion in older age are multi-faceted and complex -and addressing these will have significant benefits not only for older people but also for the economy and society.

Creativity Based on New Technologies in Design of Age-Friendly Cities: Polish Seniors About Their Needs – Research Reflection

“…The results of previous research also emphasize the importance of health-related barriers when accessing new technologies, e.g. using the Internet is more challenging for those with deteriorating eyesight, shaky hands, or (mild) cognitive impairment (Charness & Boot, 2009;Damodaran et al, 2013;Gallistl et al, 2020;Hussain et al, 2017;Lee et al, 2011). Furthermore, researchers have identified multiple socio-economic factors as predictors of elderly Internet use.…”

“…Published analyses illustrate the newer technologies are, the more seniors tend to avoid them. This can be characterized by anxiety, frustration with interface platforms, and a general negative attitude toward new technology, and not least of all, higher online security concerns (Cattaneo et al, 2016;Damodaran et al, 2013;Gallistl et al, 2020;Hussain et al, 2017;Kamin et al, 2017;Reisdorf & Groselj, 2017). The results of previous research also emphasize the importance of health-related barriers when accessing new technologies, e.g.…”

Who Actually Becomes a Silver Surfer? Prerequisites for Digital Inclusion

“…The notion of silver surfers has been recurring in research on elderly use and perception of internet-based media for more than two decades (cf. Cody et al 1999;Selwyn 2004;Damodaran, Olphert, and Phipps 2013). The concept has attracted the attention of researchers from different traditions, who have made use of it with various ambitions in mind.…”

Configuring the Older Non-User: Between Research, Policy and Practice of Digital Exclusion

“…Consequently, research in gerontology has put the question why older adults use or do not use the Internet on its agenda (Schulz et al, 2015). Early on, studies have highlighted the relevance of psychological factors, claiming that older adults are less likely to use the Internet because they show a higher prevalence of computer anxiety (Cattaneo, Malighetti, & Spinelli, 2016;Charness & Boot, 2009;Lee, Chen, & Hewitt, 2011;Neves, Amaro, & Fonseca, 2013;Silver, 2015), frustration with user interfaces (Damodaran, Olphert, & Phipps, 2013;Gatto & Tak, 2008;Hussain, Ross, & Bednar, 2017), negative attitudes toward technology (Kamin, Lang, & Beyer, 2017;Reisdorf & Groselj, 2017), and higher concerns about security issues on the Internet, mainly regarding personal information (Gatto & Tak, 2008;Hussain et al, 2017;Lee et al, 2011). Second, research has highlighted that older adults face health-related barriers when accessing digital technologies, arguing that access to the Internet is more challenging for those with, e.g., poor eyesight, shaky hands, or (mild) cognitive impairment (Charness & Boot, 2009;Cresci, Yarandi, & Morrell, 2010;Damodaran et al, 2013;Gatto & Tak, 2008;Hussain et al, 2017;Lee et al, 2011;Lelkes, 2013).…”

“…This wide variety of influential factors highlights that it might not be age itself, but rather the social positions and resources of older adults that determine Internet use in later life. Further, Internet use in later life might also be a question of technological development and design, as research has noted that products are often poorly designed for older adults and therefore uncomfortable or at times even unmanageable to use (Charness & Boot, 2009;Czaja, Boot, Charness, & Rogers, 2019;Damodaran et al, 2013).…”