Strategies for use of the Internet by the older generation

Abstract

Based on the data of semi-structured in-depth interviews, strategies for use of the Internet by older people are considered. The theoretical perspective of the study consisted of studies on the use of the Internet and information technologies by older people, actor-network theory in the context of the use of computer by the elderly and the elements of integration of older people into the use of the Internet from the objectification and conversion of the Senior Technology Acceptance Model (STAM). Older people appear in the field of technology research as a specific group of Internet users with their characteristic experience of mastering the meanings and roles of the Internet in everyday life. It is noted that development of the Internet by older people is reflexive and involves a number of difficulties. The empirical basis of the study is semi-structured interviews with people over 60 years of age from St. Petersburg, the Republic of Karelia, Tyumen and Salekhard (n=36). Based on the conducted research, we identified 4 strategies for the use of the Internet by older people: information consumption strategy; communication strategy; resource use strategy; rejection strategy. The main differences in the identified strategies are motivation and goals when using the Internet. The passage of the stages from objectification (intention to use) to conversion (making a final decision on further use) depends on the type of Internet resources — in the case of communication and information consumption, acceptance occurs quickly, unlike more specialized Internet services and applications. The main barriers are age, availability of professional employment and its specifics, social environment and family, availability of a smartphone. Drivers and sources of competencies for using the Internet are close relatives and special courses. Active professionals under the age of 75 tend to use the maximum number of Internet opportunities, including for professional purposes. The strategies highlighted in the study can be used both for further research in the field of interaction of older people and their communication on the Internet and as practical data for improving the quality of work and integration of older people into the Internet.