Wells Tabytha, Russell Elizabeth
Department of Psychology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, OntarioK9L 0G2, Canada.
Can J Aging. 2025 Mar;44(1):41-51. doi: 10.1017/S0714980824000266. Epub 2024 Oct 2.
As Western society becomes increasingly digitally dependent and many older adults actively engage in the online world, understanding the experiences of those who largely do not use digital technology in their daily lives is crucial. Individual interviews were conducted (pre-pandemic) with 23 older adults who, based on self-identification, did not regularly use digital technology, exploring how their experiences as limited digital technology users may have impacted their daily lives. An iterative collaborative qualitative analysis demonstrated three main themes: internet concerns, frustrations with digital technology, and conflicting motivators to use digital technology. Findings suggest that addressing digital concerns and providing effective digital skill learning opportunities may encourage some older adults to become more digitally engaged. However, as people, including older adults, can be uninterested in using these technologies, organizations and institutions should work to offer ways to support people of all ages who are not engaged online.
随着西方社会对数字技术的依赖日益增加,许多老年人积极投身于网络世界,了解那些在日常生活中基本不使用数字技术的人群的经历至关重要。(疫情前)对23名老年人进行了个人访谈,这些老年人根据自我认定,不经常使用数字技术,探讨作为有限数字技术使用者的经历如何可能影响了他们的日常生活。迭代式协作定性分析揭示了三个主要主题:对互联网的担忧、对数字技术的挫败感以及使用数字技术的矛盾动机。研究结果表明,解决数字方面的担忧并提供有效的数字技能学习机会,可能会鼓励一些老年人更多地参与数字活动。然而,由于包括老年人在内的人们可能对使用这些技术不感兴趣,组织和机构应努力提供支持所有未参与网络活动人群的方法。