Older Adults and Emerging Digital Service Delivery: A Mixed Methods Study on Information and Communications Technology Use, Skills, and Attitudes

Abstract

Based on data from a survey (n = 3291) and 14 qualitative interviews among Danish older adults, this study investigated the use of, and attitudes toward, information communications technology (ICT) and the digital delivery of public services. While age, gender, and socioeconomic status were associated with use of ICT, these determinants lost their explanatory power when we controlled for attitudes and experiences. We identified three segments that differed in their use of ICT and attitudes toward digital service delivery. As nonuse of ICT often results from the lack of willingness to use it rather than from material or cognitive deficiencies, policy measures for bridging the digital divide should focus on skills and confidence rather than on access or ability.

Attitudes Toward Technologies of the Near Future: The Role of Technology Readiness in a Hungarian Adult Sample

“…Previous research has revealed that elderly people are less optimistic about high-tech inventions that are put on the market [Øyen et al (2017); Rojas-M endez et al (2017)]. It can be assumed that these differences are due to lack of their digital literacy [Øyen et al (2017)], their lower self-con¯dence and mastery when using these products and that they shift their belief system much slower [Magotra et al (2015)], but not the lack of skills and accessibility of the technological services [Siren and Knudsen (2017)]. These socio-economic di®erences were captured by Tsikriktsis [2004] who identi¯ed four clusters in the United Kingdom based on the TRI factors.…”

Changing patterns of social media use? A population-level study of Finland

“…For example, the elderly and the less educated are less benefitted from social media than others (e.g. [33,45,47]). Indeed, studies have shown that structural differences within societal systems are mirrored in the use of the Internet and its various platforms (see [52]).…”

Growing old with and via media

“…While much research establishes chronological age as a central factor in relation to digital media use (Siren & Knudsen, 2017), this is mainly due to the fact that digital media are relatively new phenomena. Th is means that not all age groups have had a chance to be incorporated into the practices related to the use of such media.…”

“…Th us, although the majority of older adults are adept media users, from a technologically determinist point of view they are perceived as not keeping up. Th is understanding is typically coupled with a marked worry that lack of digital skills and access will isolate older adults and hinder their full participation in society (Siren & Knudsen, 2017). …”