The Perception of the Benefits and Drawbacks of Internet Usage by the Elderly People

Hussain, Dilwar; Ross, Penny; Bednár, Peter

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-62051-0_17

Cited by 22 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Some persons in our sample were reluctant to participate in activities involving a camera or a group. Such privacy concerns were previously reported as reasons for older adults’ hesitation to use the internet [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Second, attitudes of older adults toward the internet and technology, including computer anxiety [ 24 ] and concern about data security and privacy, can present obstacles [ 25 , 26 ]. Older adults may find themselves excluded from the “digital world” due to lack of knowledge and skill in the use of modern technologies, which stems from a lack of assistance and training as well as from technology designs that fail to consider their needs, knowledge, and background [ 27 - 29 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Adequacy of Web-Based Activities as a Substitute for In-Person Activities for Older Persons During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey Study

Cohen‐Mansfield¹,

Muff²,

Meschiany³

et al. 2021

J Med Internet Res

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Background Senior centers and other types of clubs provide activities for older adults to address boredom, social isolation, and loneliness. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of these activities have been cancelled. A limited range of web-based activities have been offered as alternatives. However, the effectiveness of these web-based group activities for older adults has scarcely been researched. Objective We aimed to understand the extent to which web-based activities for older adults provide an adequate substitute for in-person activities. Methods In this telephone survey, we interviewed 105 older adults in Israel who had been offered the opportunity to participate in web-based activities after routine activities closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the total sample, 49/105 (46.7%) participated in the activities and 56/105 (53.3%) did not. We inquired about the respondents’ background characteristics, satisfaction with the activities, and reasons for participation or nonparticipation. Results The respondents who participated in the web-based activities tended to be highly satisfied with at least some of them. They rated the enjoyment derived from the content of the activity as the most important motivator, followed by maintaining a routine and by enjoying the group and the presence of others. Over 50% of the participants (28/49, 57%) wished to continue with the exercise programming after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 41% (20/49) wished to continue with the web-based lectures. Participants were more likely to report partaking in alternative activities than nonparticipants (P=.04). The most common reasons cited by nonparticipants were being unaware of the web-based program (24/56, 43%) despite a notification having been sent to the entire sample, lack of interest in the content (18/56, 32%), and technical issues (13/56, 23%), such as not owning or being able to fully use a computer. Both participants and nonparticipants were interested in a wide range of topics, with many being very particular about the topics they wished to access. Approximately half expressed willingness to pay for access; those who were willing to pay tended to have more years of education (P=.03). Conclusions Our findings suggest a need for web-based activities for countering boredom and feelings of isolation. The main factors that influence the use, efficacy, and sustainability of online activities are access, motivational and need-fulfilling factors, and whether the activities are sufficiently tailored to individuals’ preferences and abilities. Challenges in substituting in-person services are promoting social relationships that are currently not sufficiently incorporated into most web-based programs, accommodating a wider range of topics, and increasing the accessibility of current programs to older adults, especially those who are homebound, both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adequacy of Web-Based Activities as a Substitute for In-Person Activities for Older Persons During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey Study

Cohen‐Mansfield¹,

Muff²,

Meschiany³

et al. 2021

J Med Internet Res

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show abstract

“…We found that age was significantly associated with Internet use (Table 4 ). Most elderly people suffer some decline in physical, cognitive, visual, aural, and other functions with age, which may be a barrier to Internet use [ 51 ]. In addition, when the quality of life increased by a grade, Internet use increased 2.241 times.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Internet use and need for digital health technology among the elderly: a cross-sectional survey in China

Sun

Yan

Zhou³

et al. 2020

BMC Public Health

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Background China is becoming an aging society at the fastest pace in history, and there are a large number of empty nesters in the country. With economic and social development, internal support systems among families are gradually weakening. Supporting the elderly is thus emerging as a significant issue, and promoting digital health technologies is an effective way to help address it. Encouraging the application of Internet to elderly care and Internet use among the elderly are important means of promoting digital health technologies. This paper examines the current state of the use of the Internet by the elderly and factors influencing it (including physical, psychological, and social) as well as demand among the elderly for smart services. Methods A total of 669 subjects over the age of 60 years were randomly selected from 13 cities in Heilongjiang province and surveyed using questionnaires from May 1 to July 31, 2018. The questionnaires were collected for descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and the analysis of influential factors. Results Of the people surveyed, 38.6% used the Internet. Their favorite online activity was online dating (74.2%), and the health information they obtained through the Internet was mainly related to diet (63.1%) and exercise (47.1%). The subjects demanded smart bracelets (MD = 2.80) and emergency callers (MD = 2.77). Gender, age, education, monthly income, quality of life, number of friends, and social participation were found to have an impact on Internet use. Conclusions More measures are needed to reduce barriers to the use of the Internet and promote digital health technologies. The society, equipment manufacturers, and family members of the elderly should work together to enable them to reap the benefits of online technologies.

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“…Purkait, Kumar, & Suar, 2014), although results are equivocal and some variables such as age actually proving protective factors (i.e. many older people don't use the Web for banking or shopping; Hussain, Ross & Bednar, 2018). In a recent report of fraud typologies and victims published by the UK National Fraud Authority (NFA), Button, Lewis & Tapley (2016) caution that: " […] what is striking about the scams is that the profiles cover almost everybody; hence almost anyone could become a victim of a scam" (p.24).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Personality, emotion and individual differences in response to online fraud

Norris

Brookes

2021

Personality and Individual Differences

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The Perception of the Benefits and Drawbacks of Internet Usage by the Elderly People

Cited by 22 publications

References 20 publications

Adequacy of Web-Based Activities as a Substitute for In-Person Activities for Older Persons During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey Study

Adequacy of Web-Based Activities as a Substitute for In-Person Activities for Older Persons During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey Study

Internet use and need for digital health technology among the elderly: a cross-sectional survey in China

Personality, emotion and individual differences in response to online fraud

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