exploring digital gradations in internet skills and uses
Andraž Petrovčič (Author), Bianca Christin Reisdorf (Author), Darja Leskovec (Author), Katja Prevodnik (Author)

Abstract

Research suggests that older internet users are not a homogeneous group of users, as their level of digital inclusion varies widely, depending not only on their age, but also on their socio-demographic background, internet access characteristics, and the availability of social resources associated with “age-graded” life events (e.g., retirement and widowhood). This study presents a typology of internet users in late middle and late adulthood according to their levels of skills and uses and examines how socio-demographic characteristics, social networks and resources, and internet access shape differences between groups. Based on representative survey data, cluster analysis was used to identify four groups of users aged 50+: Apprehensive, Level- headed, Savvy, and Reluctant users. Three main conclusions emerge from their comparison. First, both internet skills and uses need to be considered, as more skills do not always lead to more varied use and the relationship is affected by access characteristics and proxy internet use. Second, socio-demographics remain critical in explaining gradations in digital inclusion, but their effects must be contextualized. Not all younger older adults were highly digitally engaged, so their broader life contexts need to be considered. Third, social networks and resources had little impact on aging internet users’ digital engagement.

Keywords

internet skills;older adults;social support;typology;cluster analysis;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL FDV - Faculty of Social Sciences
UDC: 316.472.4:004.738.5-052
COBISS: 119492867 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 0894-4393
Views: 250
Downloads: 140
Average score: 0 (0 votes)
Metadata: JSON JSON-RDF JSON-LD TURTLE N-TRIPLES XML RDFA MICRODATA DC-XML DC-RDF RDF

Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: Uporabniki interneta;Digitalni razkorak;Družbena omrežja;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 1921-1940
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ41
Issue: ǂno. ǂ5
Chronology: Oct. 2023
DOI: 10.1177/08944393221117753
ID: 16306634
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