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Examining Aspects of Digital Inclusion Among National Samples of US Older Adults
[journal article]
Abstract We live in a world where we are constantly connected to devices (e.g., smartphones, computers, tablets) and are encouraged to go online to find information about most things in society. This constant digital connection provides the means whereby many individuals communicate and exchange social suppo... view more
We live in a world where we are constantly connected to devices (e.g., smartphones, computers, tablets) and are encouraged to go online to find information about most things in society. This constant digital connection provides the means whereby many individuals communicate and exchange social support. For most demographic groups, this results in being online and connected to devices multiple times each day. Older adults have been slower to adopt and use emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs). Their digital divide in comparison to other age groups may not be an accurate representation of their technology use and the reasons for this use. This descriptive study examines this view of digital inclusion by focusing on older adults and their uses of technology. We provide an overview of technology usage by different older adult age groups in the United States using existing national‐level data. We utilize life course and aging theoretical perspectives to help articulate how older adults use a wide variety of ICTs and whether they are constantly connected, and we note that while a constant connection to devices may be normative for younger age groups, this may not, and perhaps should not, be the case for older adults. The article concludes with a discussion of the social construction of digital inclusion and emphasizes the significant variation that exists in this construct, measurement of technology use in large‐scale datasets, and variation in technology use across older adult life course groups.... view less
Keywords
Internet; digital divide; elderly; inclusion; digitalization; United States of America; utilization; technology
Classification
Gerontology
Sociology of Science, Sociology of Technology, Research on Science and Technology
Free Keywords
digital inclusion; life course; older adults; technology use
Document language
English
Publication Year
2023
Page/Pages
p. 251-270
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