An elderly person poking a keyboard only to end up angry and/or confused is a well-worn stereotype. And the media usually only contributes to its spread, depicting them as hopelessly struggling to use any device.
While pages like 'Old People Comments' are often designed to be humorous, they can involuntarily undermine the people they feature. And, according to Carolyn Wilson-Nash, a lecturer of marketing and retail at the University of Stirling, and Julie Tinson, a professor of marketing at the same establishment, that's a problem if it turns older people off from trying to engage with the digital world. Especially in times of difficulty.
"Older adults are already at a digital disadvantage: 18% of over-65s do not have internet access," the academics wrote in The Conversation. "Propelled by enforced isolation, older people increasingly turned to technology during the pandemic, but not all were able to connect or communicate with friends and family via the internet."
Of course, some older people have less experience with digital technology than others, and unsurprisingly describe a variety of emotions regarding the use of everyday devices such as smartphones, laptops, e-readers and tablets.
They also report having little confidence when it comes to using them. Lack of control, a sense of being overwhelmed, and poor product design can lead to feelings of being incompetent, alone, and even trapped.
Wilson-Nash and Tinson say that those who persevere have plenty of rewards: completing tasks more easily, communicating more effectively, increased independence and a sense of achievement; their everyday life can potentially enter a new level.
"These things are important if this growing part of the population is to experience aging in a more positive and empowering way," the colleagues explained.
"Through our research, we wanted to examine these mixed emotions that older people have about using technology, and how they develop ways to combat the challenges they face," Wilson-Nash and Tinson said.
"While digital technology has been shown to alleviate pressure on health and social care, until now there's been a limited understanding of how using technology influences the way older adults live."
While many see digital technology as a challenging mountain to be conquered, there are different ways of confronting it. Some may view the process as a personal goal, using instruction manuals or simply trial and error to figure out what software updates, unwanted viruses or junk mail are.
Others view digital technology more as a collective endeavor, asking friends and family for help. "Not only is this the most successful strategy, it also fosters important interaction with others," Wilson-Nash and Tinson said. "For example, during the pandemic, many younger people acted as IT support for older friends and relatives."
But not all elderly people have this kind of network of support, even though they can benefit most from greater use of the internet and keep loneliness at bay. In these situations, initiatives run by charities such as Age UK, where digital champions can help older adults master technology, can be invaluable.
