2021/04/20 by Gemma Wilson, Jessica R. Gates, Jessica Gates +3 · 133 citations
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Aging and Gerontology Research #Computer science #Digital divide #Exploratory research #Health disparities and outcomes #Internet access #Internet privacy #Political science #Psychological intervention #Psychology #Public relations #Social capital #Social engagement #Social media #Social philosophy #Social psychology #Social relation #Social science #Social technology #Sociology #Technology Use by Older Adults #The Internet #World Wide Web
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/s0144686x21000490
published in Ageing and Society 43(1), 222-245 (Cambridge University Press)
crossref issued 2021/04/20 · crossref published 2021/04/20 · crossref published-online 2021/04/20 · openalex publication_date 2021/04/20 · crossref created 2021/04/20 · crossref deposited 2022/12/24 · crossref published-print 2023/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/08/01 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Abstract Having access and skills to use social technology, i.e. social internet use, social media and social applications, are considered as being vital to online social connection. Whilst evidence exists around facilitators and barriers to general technology use, evidence is limited with regards to the motivators, skills and tangible offline benefits older technology users experience with social technology. Therefore, this study used a qualitative, exploratory method to understand older adults’ experiences of using social technology to connect with others. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 older adults (65+ years) across England, Scotland and Wales. Despite having access to social technology for social connection, and using this technology regularly, multiple barriers impacted motivators and skills for use, namely perceived self-efficacy and fear, the culture of online communication, absence of social capital and physical functioning. Some of these barriers of social technology use are reminiscent of barriers of wider technology use and emphasise the importance of addressing these barriers for digital exclusion, as well as social connection. However, some of these barriers were specific to social technology use and should be considered when providing guidance or interventions to increase older adults’ online social connection. Social connection was a clear tangible outcome to social technology use, and individuals discussed the benefits of using social technology, particularly visual communication tools, for online connection.