Portuguese older people and the Internet: Interaction, uses, motivations, and obstacles

Abstract

This study analyzes Portuguese seniors' Internet activity and determine their reasons, benefits, and motivations for web use as well as the obstacles faced by non-users. Results were derived from a questionnaire completed by 189 seniors enrolled in universities for seniors. 68.1 % defined themselves as Internet users. The seniors asked principally go online to check e-mail and gather information. They state that the Internet is useful, helps them to stay up-to-date, and to preserve (but not expand) relationships. Non-user status is not attributed to old age or health reasons. According to the technology acceptance model, ease of use and perception of utility were related to both Internet use and its intensity of use. Family influence also played a key role. Gender differences were not found in Internet use, intensity of use, or in use motivations.

Identification of Relevant Elements for Promoting Effective Interventions in Old Age // Identificación de elementos relevantes para promover intervenciones eficaces en la vejez

“…This could be explained by the progressive loss of autonomy that is associated with age and that negatively affects the elderly person's whole functioning (cognitive, physical and so forth). For this reason, virtual tools can become powerful instruments to overcome these difficulties by allowing an adaptation to all kinds of personal circumstances, overcoming barriers of space and time (Martínez-Pecino, Matos, & Silva, 2013).…”

Herramientas Virtuales en El Envejecimiento Activo

“…No obstante, es necesario profundizar en estos resultados desde otras perspectivas. Junto a ello, sería necesario explorar otras posibles causas de esta brecha digital como podrían ser la ausente o inadecuada capacitación y apoyo educativo, la desinformación en torno a las posibilidades que internet les brinda, la falta de medios, las actitudes, intereses y motivación (Martinez-Pecino, Matos, y Silva, 2013;Nimrod, 2013), para lo cual, resulta imprescindible contar con la perspectiva de las propias personas mayores.…”

Motivos de uso de las redes sociales virtuales: Análisis de perfiles de mujeres rurales

“…Por otro lado, un amplio número de investigaciones sobre hábitos y experiencias de uso de las TIC se han centrado en poblaciones infantiles y juveniles (Chen, Hsiao, Chern & Chen, 2014;Livingstone & Helsper, 2007;Staksrud, Ólafsson & Livingstone, 2013), pocas en personas adultas (Godfrey & Johnson, 2009;Martinez-Pecino, Delerue & Silva, 2013;Pfeil, Arjan & Zaphiris, 2009), menos en mujeres (Castaño, 2009;Rubio y Escofet, 2013) y menos aún en mujeres de entornos rurales (Falk & Kilpatrick, 2000;Rebollo & Vico, 2014). Algunos informes advierten de las especiales dificultades que afrontan las comunidades rurales (LaRose, Gregg, Strover, Straubhaar & Carpenter, 2007;Novo-Corti, VarelaCandamio & García-Alvarez, 2014) y las personas mayores (Braun, 2013;Dias, 2012) en el acceso y uso de las tecnologías, señalando los múltiples factores que pueden incidir en su exclusión digital.…”