Digital technology and senior citizens in the city of Osijek: a quantitative study
Purpose. The world population is continuously ageing, and a significant amount of world efforts has already been dedicated to increasing the quality of life of the population in the age-group of 65+. A way to achieve this goal is to introduce older generations to the benefits of digital technology....
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Zadar
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Libellarium: Journal for the Research of Writing, Books, and Cultural Heritage Institutions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://morepress.unizd.hr/journals/index.php/libellarium/article/view/3906 |
| Summary: | Purpose. The world population is continuously ageing, and a significant amount of world efforts has already been dedicated to increasing the quality of life of the population in the age-group of 65+. A way to achieve this goal is to introduce older generations to the benefits of digital technology. This paper presents the findings of a study on digital technology adoption and the online information needs of senior citizens in the city of Osijek, Croatia.
Methodology. The study was conducted on a sample of 188 participants from September to December 2021. The data was collected by the means of a paper survey distributed to respondents in several locations: a local senior care home, the farmers market, and a non-profit organization.
Findings. The respondents in our sample prefer smartphones (49.5%) and personal computers or laptops (27.7%) over tablet computers and smartwatches. The internet is used by almost 70% of the respondents, mostly for purposeful searches for information or communication. E-learning, e-shopping, or e-government applications are used rarely. The study detected significant differences in digital technology use concerning gender, age, life satisfaction and living with a partner.
Social implications. In order to support and promote the active ageing of senior citizens in Osijek, a more systematic approach at the level of city administration is needed in order to ensure a better understanding and use of digital technology by this vulnerable demographic group.
Originality. The paper presents a valuable contribution to further understanding the ICT adoption, skills and online information behaviour of senior citizens in Osijek, Croatia.
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| ISSN: | 1846-8527 1846-9213 |