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Digital Identity Levels in Older Learners: A New Focus for Sustainable Lifelong Education and Inclusion

Author

Listed:
  • José Manuel Muñoz-Rodríguez

    (Faculty of Education, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain)

  • María José Hernández-Serrano

    (Faculty of Education, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Carmen Tabernero

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
    Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain)

Abstract

Identifying the digital identity of older adults entails an essential step for their effective digital inclusion grounded in a holistic and sustainable human development in hyperconnected societies. This paper proposes a theoretical framework with three levels of digital identity based on motives and practices: location, action, and significance. This framework was used for designing an ad-hoc scale, tested with a sample of senior learners ( n = 659) aged 55 and over involved in active aging programs in Adult Education in Spain. Participants filled out a five-point 20-item Likert scale measuring their agreement with the digital identity factors, along with two complementary scales evaluating their internet uses and motivations, as well as other items on living arrangements and perceived social support. Exploratory and confirmatory analyses showed a factorial structure with three levels of digital identity for older adults. The results revealed that active older adults with diverse motives for using the internet and variety in digital practices recorded a higher digital identity level, as did those who felt more isolated or with less social support. As a conclusion, the educational implications according to instrumental, social, and motivational variables are key for the progressive construction of a digital identity in older adults and for their digital inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • José Manuel Muñoz-Rodríguez & María José Hernández-Serrano & Carmen Tabernero, 2020. "Digital Identity Levels in Older Learners: A New Focus for Sustainable Lifelong Education and Inclusion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10657-:d:465400
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Janelle W Myhre & Matthias R Mehl & Elizabeth L Glisky, 2017. "Cognitive Benefits of Online Social Networking for Healthy Older Adults," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(5), pages 752-760.
    2. Olfa Bouzaabia & Rym Bouzaabia & Alexandru Capatina, 2016. "Determinants of Internet Use by Senior Generation: A Cross Cultural Study," International Journal of Technology and Human Interaction (IJTHI), IGI Global, vol. 12(1), pages 63-82, January.
    3. Simona Vulpe & Andrei Crăciun, 2020. "Silver surfers from a European perspective: technology communication usage among European seniors," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(1), pages 125-134, March.
    4. Jeehoon Kim & Hee Yun Lee & M Candace Christensen & Joseph R Merighi, 2017. "Technology Access and Use, and Their Associations With Social Engagement Among Older Adults: Do Women and Men Differ?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(5), pages 836-845.
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