Internet use and non-use: Views of older users

被引:130
作者
Morris A. [1 ]
Goodman J. [2 ]
Brading H. [1 ]
机构
[1] Department of Information Science, Loughborough University, Loughborough
[2] Engineering Design Centre, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge
关键词
Digital divide; Elderly; Internet; Older people; Technology;
D O I
10.1007/s10209-006-0057-5
中图分类号
学科分类号
摘要
This paper reports the results of two connected surveys of computer and Internet use among the older population in the UK. One hundred and twenty questionnaires and interviews were completed with participants aged over 55 in Derbyshire and 353 questionnaires and interviews with over 50s in Scotland. Rates of use, computer and Internet activities, and reasons for use and non-use were investigated. These were backed up by four semi-structured interviews with IT trainers, describing experiences and issues of training this age group. The results indicate a "grey" digital divide, with many older people missing out on the benefits that computers and the Internet can provide. They also indicate some of the reasons why older people do not use computers and the Internet more. These suggest some practical ways forward, highlighting the importance of changing older people's misconceptions about computers, better informing them about what they are, what they can do and how they can be of real practical use. © Springer-Verlag 2006.
引用
收藏
页码:43 / 57
页数:14
相关论文
共 48 条
[21]  
LOT 7 the Demographic Change - Impacts of New Technologies and Information Society, Executive Summary, (2005)
[22]  
Laurich R., The platinum web: Sites dedicated to senior citizens on the Internet, Collect. Build., 21, 4, pp. 174-182, (2002)
[23]  
Loges W.E., Jung J.-Y., Exploring the digital divide: Internet connectedness and age, Commun. Res., 28, 4, pp. 536-562, (2001)
[24]  
Mates B., Targeting the fastest growing patron group - Seniors, Libr. Hi Tech News, 19, 9, (2002)
[25]  
McCarthy M., Past the Post: Older People and New Technology, (2003)
[26]  
Millward P., The "grey digital divide": Perception, exclusion and barriers of access to the Internet for older people, First Monday, 8, 7, (2003)
[27]  
Leisure and the Internet, (2002)
[28]  
Morrell R.W., Mayhorn C.B., Bennett J., A survey of World Wide Web use in middle-aged and older adults, Hum. Factors, 42, 2, pp. 175-182, (2000)
[29]  
Morris A., Brading H., E-literacy and the grey digital divide, J. Inf. Lit., (2007)
[30]  
Namazi K.H., McClintic M., Computer use among elderly persons in long-term care facilities, Educ. Gerontol., 29, pp. 535-550, (2003)