‘It could be useful, but not for me at the moment’: older people, internet access and e-public service provision

Abstract

Older people are commonly constructed as a group of heavy users of public services that misses out on opportunities presented online, mainly due to age-related barriers to accessing the internet. Drawing on a study of internet access in sheltered homes for older people, this article argues for the need to focus electronic service provision around the needs, preferences and abilities of the users of public services. A user-centred perspective in e-government and e-service provision requires an understanding of the socially shaped and locally situated nature of media use, which can in turn help prevent the tendency to see chronological age as the sole factor determining (non-) engagement with the internet. It also requires investment in making available assistance and support to access online digital media in order to prevent the disadvantaging of vulnerable service users.

Growing old with and via media

“…When it comes to media use in everyday life, older adults are often regarded as lacking media competences when they are presented in popular media discourse, at the policy level and in research (Schreurs & Quan-Haase, 2017;Sourbati, 2009;Wandke, Sengpiel, & Sönksen, 2012). While statistics show that older adults are the most prominent users of print newspapers, radio and television compared to other age groups (see for instance European Commission, 2015), the competences that they are seen as lacking are "new media" skills.…”

“…Blaakilde, Iversen & Wilin ´ ska Editorial: Growing old with and via media Notably, much research assumes that the use of digital media will be highly benefi cial for older adults but fails to examine the issue from the point of view of older adults themselves (Sourbati, 2009). On one hand, there may be many good reasons why the very old are often hesitant to adopt emerging and new technologies into their lives (Hagberg, 2012).…”

Digital Access in Working-Age and Older Adults and Their Caregivers Attending Psychiatry Outpatient Clinics: Quantitative Survey (Preprint)

“…Conversely, we also found concern expressed that older adult patients may overestimate their capability: "Father would be completely unable to use technology, but would think that he could"-Carer of patient aged 75+. Sourbati [12] found that in general older people had very little idea how online services might benefit them.…”

“…There could be no confidence that messages etc would be picked up." -MATS Carer, [55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64] It is recognised that if users are unwilling or simply uninterested in using digital technology, then they will not integrate it into their daily routines [12] . Conversely, we also found concern expressed that older adult patients may overestimate their capability: "Father would be completely unable to use technology, but would think that he could"-Carer of patient aged 75+.…”

From disparity to parity : understandig the barriers to inclusion of persons with visual disabilities in the digital revolution of Uganda

“…Seniors are also more likely than any other age group to be living with some kind of disability, which could hinder their capacity to get to a computer training center or read the small type on many Web sites (Fox, 2004). Sourbati (2009) clarifies the reasons related to disability, saying that a decline in vision, slowing of movement and arthritis-related physical dexterity make it difficult to use technological artifacts designed for younger, able-bodied users. Declines in perceptual and cognitive abilities can also impede their ability to learn to use new ICTs.…”