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Catching the Digital Train on Time: Older Adults, Continuity, and Digital Inclusion
[journal article]
Abstract As society has become more reliant on digital technology, it has changed the perception of the ageing experience to now include a digital component. However, not every older adult perceives digital technology as essential to their way of ageing. In this article, we asked 76 older adults with differe... view more
As society has become more reliant on digital technology, it has changed the perception of the ageing experience to now include a digital component. However, not every older adult perceives digital technology as essential to their way of ageing. In this article, we asked 76 older adults with different patterns of digital technology use how they experience and perceive the role of digital technology in the context of their ageing. The thematic analysis results point to a more nuanced understanding of the importance of familial support, the role of personal history or continuity in older adults’ digital inclusion, and how they see the role of age in relation to digital technology. Furthermore, our findings show that ageism is both a barrier and a motivational factor for older adults. When ageism is based on the level of digital inclusion, it can cause a different ageing experience, one that is perceived as superior by those using digital technology. This leads to a precarious situation: It becomes essential to maintain digital skills to avoid the non‐digital ageing experience even as it becomes more difficult to maintain their skills due to the evolution of technology. Prior to the study, we created a conceptual framework to understand ageing in a more digitalised world. We used the findings of this study to test the conceptual framework and we conclude that the framework can clarify the role (or lack) of digital technology in the ageing experience of older adults.... view less
Keywords
digital divide; elderly; social support; aging; inclusion; digitalization; technical development; discrimination
Classification
Gerontology
Sociology of Science, Sociology of Technology, Research on Science and Technology
Free Keywords
ageism; continuity theory; digital inclusion; digital technology; older adults; thematic analysis
Document language
English
Publication Year
2023
Page/Pages
p. 239-250
Journal
Social Inclusion, 11 (2023) 3
Issue topic
Expanding the Boundaries of Digital Inclusion: Perspectives From Network Peripheries and Non-Adopters
ISSN
2183-2803
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed