Mobile health technology adoption across generations: Narrowing the digital divide

Abstract

Mobile health (m-health) technologies offer many benefits to individuals, organizations, and health professionals alike. Indeed, the utilization of m-health by older adults can foster the development of proactive patients, while also reducing financial burden and resource pressures on health systems. However, the potentially transformative influence of m-health is limited, as many older adults resist adoption leading to the emergence of an age-based digital divide. This study leverages protection motivation theory and social cognitive theory to explore the factors driving resistance among older adults. This mixed methods study integrates survey findings with insights from qualitative interviews to highlight that the mhealth digital divide is deepening due to older adults' perceived inability to adopt and their unwillingness to adopt stemming from mistrust, high risk perceptions, and strong desire for privacy. The paper contributes to the privacy and social inclusion literature by demonstrating that while many older adults have access to m-health, they are currently excluded and require careful consideration by technology organizations and researchers. The study provides recommendations for narrowing the m-health digital divide through inclusive design and educational efforts to improve self-efficacy, develop privacy literacy, and build trust, thereby ensuring that older citizens are both capable and willing to adopt.KEYWORDS digital divide, health information privacy concerns, mixed methods, mobile health adoption, older citizens, social inclusion

From panopticon to heautopticon: A new form of surveillance introduced by quantified‐self practices

“…Nonetheless, we intend to conduct further research with users and non‐users of wearable technologies in different countries to gain a more thorough understanding of QS technologies' effects and implications. Furthermore, it could be very interesting to examine other profiles of QS users, such as the elderly and people with medical conditions, who use trackers for managing their health, not only for their well‐being (Fox & Connolly, ). Health trackers offer them the opportunity to stay at home instead of going to the hospital or moving to a nursing home, thus improving their quality of life.…”

Health promotion with physiolytics: What is driving people to subscribe in a data-driven health plan

“…Several studies have highlighted that age [69,70] and gender [71] are important moderators when it comes to making a decision whether or not to adopt wearable devices or health apps. While acknowledging the fact that the personal health status could be an additional relevant moderator [72], there have not been many studies that specifically investigated how a person's PLOS ONE condition might affect the adoption behavior of physiolytics.…”

Ensembles of Practice: Older Adults, Technology, and Loneliness & Social Isolation in Rural Settings

“…Fox and Connolly [9] studied the barriers to older adult use of mobile technology and found that many older adults had concerns about privacy. Barnard et al [10] highlighted the importance of support to older adults when they are learning to use new mobile devices (i.e.…”