Computers, Phones and the Internet: Domesticating Information Technology

Ch. 4. Older People and New Technologies. Yoel Raban and Malcolm Brynin

ABSTRACT:
Older people use new technologies less than younger generations, and with less confidence. This does not, however, have to signify a form of decline. The preferences of older people are likely to be different, because, for instance, they often have a lesser need of new and improved ways to do their same tasks. On other hand, these preferences might themselves reflect a decline in a willingness to engage with things that are not only new but also possibly beneficial. In this case we are observing one aspect of the “digital divide.” These issues are analysed using the e-Living dataset. On many counts we see that older people use new information and communication technologies (ICTs) less than those who are younger and have less positive attitudes to technology. However, this is often a gradual change and not always specific to the oldest age groups. Further, access and attitudes vary considerably by both education and income or other measures of resources. These are lower, on average, amongst older people. It is not so much being old that inhibits use of new ICTs, therefore, as the fact that older people lack the resources that tend to affect this. The digital divide is, in this sense, one aspect of a more general social division rather than a new contribution to this.

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