Older Adults and Technology use: the case of the European Union

Today's societies are increasingly marked by division into two groups: those increasingly using digital technologies and the digitally excluded. Digital technologies, though still absent in the lives of many people, affect the world that surrounds them, increasingly becoming an integral part of society. The digital divide is not just a question of lack of access to equipment or the Internet, but most of all the lack of appropriate motivation and skills or adequate support in the environment. The digital divide does not mean refraining from one medium, but cutting off access to the entire media ecosystem. Less and less content and services, not only commercial, but also the public, are available in the traditional analogue channels. The level of digital literacy affects the labor market, economic growth, activity of the citizens, functioning of public institutions, and determines the quality of life.

At a time when the elderly population is steadily increasing, the digital divide has to be analyzed, taking into account this increasingly important dimension. The internet plays an increasingly central role in connecting people to news and information, government services, health resources, providing opportunities for social support. However, dissemination of Information and communication technology (ICT) requires appropriate competences. More government services online can exclude people with low digital skills. Skills related to information, media, network literacy, and digital citizenship play an important role in a person’s ability to perform tasks related to education, work, culture, and life. Technology “everywhere” means that people with insufficient skills may become socially excluded. Old age is affected by earlier stages of human life, determining quality and type of activity in later life, and making it possible to self-educate. Specifically, the factors hammering the use of ICTs maybe related to physical challenges of using technology, skeptical attitudes about the benefits of technology and difficulties learning to use new technologies.

Thus, it becomes increasingly important to have the appropriate skills. Unfortunately, studies indicate that many people are at a disadvantage across these skills, making it an important policy issue. ICT competencies are essential for participation in an increasingly digitalized society. This study tries to identify the relationship between age and digital literacy. Data on the usage of computer and Internet activities is used as a proxy for digital skills or digital literacy. The dataset comes from EU information society statistics, and covers all EU member countries.