Diffusion of Technology: Frequency of Use for Younger and Older Adults.
TLDR
It is found that younger adults use a greater breadth of technologies than older adults, however, age-related differences in usage and the frequency of use depend on the technology domain.Abstract:
When we think of technology-savvy consumers, older adults are typically not the first persons that come to mind. The common misconception is that older adults do not want to use or cannot use technology. But for an increasing number of older adults, this is not true (Pew Internet and American Life Project 2003). Older adults do use technologies similar to their younger counterparts, but perhaps at different usage rates. Previous research has identified that there may be subgroups of older adults, “Silver Surfers”, whose adoption patterns mimic younger adults (Pew Internet and American Life Project 2003). Much of the previous research on age-related differences in technology usage has only investigated usage broadly—from a “used” or “not used” standpoint. The present study investigated age-related differences in overall usage of technologies, as well as frequency of technology usage (i.e., never, occasional, or frequent). The data were gathered through a questionnaire from younger adults (N = 430) and older adults (N = 251) in three geographically separate and ethnically diverse areas of the United States. We found that younger adults use a greater breadth of technologies than older adults. However, age-related differences in usage and the frequency of use depend on the technology domain. This paper presents technology usage and frequency data to highlight age-related differences and similarities. The results provide insights into older and younger adults’ technology-use patterns, which in turn provide a basis for expectations about knowledge differences. Designers and trainers can benefit from understanding experience and knowledge differences.read more
Citations
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Older Adults' Reasons for Using Technology while Aging in Place
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TL;DR: The level of technology use in the context of aging in place is influenced by six major themes: challenges in the domain of independent living; behavioral options; personal thoughts on technology use; influence of the social network; Influence of organizations, and the role of the physical environment.
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TL;DR: By encompassing conventional technology acceptance constructs together with age-related health and ability characteristics, the present study was able to identify more factors affecting gerontechnology acceptance by older Hong Kong Chinese.
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The Benefits of Social Technology Use Among Older Adults Are Mediated by Reduced Loneliness
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Older adults' experiences and perceptions of digital technology
TL;DR: Evidence of a digital divide is supported and how that divide is evolving from the ideographic perspective of digitally-engaged older adults and for society is supported.
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Internet use among older Europeans: an analysis based on SHARE data
TL;DR: Investigation of Internet use among elderly Europeans indicated that previous experience with computers during one’s time in the workplace is positively associated with Internet use in old age, and wider contextual structures such as area of residence and country-specific wealth and communication technology infrastructure also tend to promote Internet useamong elderly Europeans.
References
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Book
Diffusion of Innovations
TL;DR: A history of diffusion research can be found in this paper, where the authors present a glossary of developments in the field of Diffusion research and discuss the consequences of these developments.
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A short portable mental status questionnaire for the assessment of organic brain deficit in elderly patients
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Journal ArticleDOI
Older adults talk technology: Technology usage and attitudes
Tracy L. Mitzner,Julie Blaskewicz Boron,Cara Bailey Fausset,Anne E. Adams,Neil Charness,Sara J. Czaja,Katinka Dijkstra,Arthur D. Fisk,Wendy A. Rogers,Joseph Sharit +9 more
TL;DR: These results contradict stereotypes that older adults are afraid or unwilling to use technology, and highlight the importance of perceived benefits of use and ease of use for models of technology acceptance.