A New Conceptual Model of Internet Usage Among the Elderly in Iran

Abstract

The article describes a research study looking at internet usage among the elderly in Iran. The Internet offers several benefits for the elderly. However, internet usage among the Iranian elderly is at a low level. Moreover, very few studies have explored the reasons for this low usage making this study highly relevant and important. Their numbers in the total population are expected to form 20% in another three decades. This study aimed to survey the elderly users and non-users of the Internet to see what factors enable its uptake. One hundred twenty-seven elderly users and 51 non-users participated in a questionnaire survey designed using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Twenty users and non-users were also interviewed to gather richer details about the research topic. The findings show that performance and effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and knowledge acquisition significantly predict the behavioral intention of the Iranian elderly to use the Internet. The findings are presented in a new conceptual model to help understand the motivations behind internet use. This study has implications for the research community and the technology industry in Iran and beyond as it indicates how the elderly can be attracted to adopt Internet technology.