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Silver surfers from a European perspective: technology communication usage among European seniors

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  • Simona Vulpe

    (University of Bucharest)

  • Andrei Crăciun

    (University of Bucharest)

Abstract

Filling a gap in our understanding of how senior citizens use information and communication technologies (ICTs), we identified several profiles of technology communication use among European seniors (aged 65+). These profiles include: Digitallyimmersed communicators, Asynchronous communicators and Phoneenjoyers. We outline the importance of a broader distinction, one that surpasses the non-user and user dichotomy, and explores the singularities of the seniors who overcome the challenge of adopting and using ICT. We consider the digital divide concept as a starting point for the theoretical background that we reviewed in order to explain the process through which senior citizens accept and adopt this technology. Analysing data gathered within the Eurobarometer (Standard Eurobarometer 84 Autumn 2015—media use in the European Union. https://dbk.gesis.org/dbksearch/sdesc2.asp?no=6642, 2015), we applied K-Means Cluster analysis and discriminant analysis in order to identify three types of older Internet users. We run the analysis on a sample of 4404 respondents aged between 65 and 99 years. Our results help with increasing the adequacy of Digital Single Market policies for European seniors, as well as with more suitably targeting senior for social care and medical care programmes in the digital environment. Providing suggestions for further research, we argue for an in-depth classification of ICT users, based on characteristics such as gender, education, ethnicity or social class.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:17:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10433-019-00520-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-019-00520-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David E. Bloom & Dara Lee Luca, 2016. "The Global Demography of Aging: Facts, Explanations, Future," PGDA Working Papers 13016, Program on the Global Demography of Aging.
    2. Shelia R. Cotten & George Ford & Sherry Ford & Timothy M. Hale, 2014. "Editor's choice Internet Use and Depression Among Retired Older Adults in the United States: A Longitudinal Analysis," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 69(5), pages 763-771.
    3. Piggott, John & Woodland, Alan (ed.), 2016. "Handbook of the Economics of Population Aging," Handbook of the Economics of Population Aging, Elsevier, edition 1, volume 1, number 1.
    4. Bloom, D.E. & Luca, D.L., 2016. "The Global Demography of Aging," Handbook of the Economics of Population Aging, in: Piggott, John & Woodland, Alan (ed.), Handbook of the Economics of Population Aging, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 0, pages 3-56, Elsevier.
    5. Galit Nimrod, 2013. "Probing the Audience of Seniors’ Online Communities," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 68(5), pages 773-782.
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    1. Carmen Llorente-Barroso & Olga Kolotouchkina & Luis Mañas-Viniegra, 2021. "The Enabling Role of ICT to Mitigate the Negative Effects of Emotional and Social Loneliness of the Elderly during COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-19, April.
    2. 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.
    3. Ekaterina Tosheva, 2024. "Can We Bridge Digital Inequalities? Socio-Demographic Gaps in Computer Skills Among Older People in Bulgaria and the EU," Innovative Information Technologies for Economy Digitalization (IITED), University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, issue 1, pages 90-98, October.
    4. Vicente, María Rosalía, 2022. "ICT for healthy and active aging: The elderly as first and last movers," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(3).

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