Older people and internet
engagement
Acknowledging social moderators of internet
adoption, access and use
Rebecca Hill
School of Business and Economics, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
Paul Beynon-Davies
Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK, and
Michael D. Williams
School of Business and Economics, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
Abstract
Purpose – This paper seeks to describe a deep investigation of the phenomenon of internet
engagement amongst older people. The likelihood of internet engagement has been shown in previous
work to rapidly decrease with age, and patterns of disengagement are most pronounced amongst older
people.
Design/methodology/approach – The study comprises a qualitative investigation consisting of
observation and interviews conducted within a programme of internet literacy workshops funded by
the Welsh Assembly Government.
Findings – The reflection of previous research with data collected has led to the development of a
model of older people’s internet engagement. This model helps us better understand the context for
patterns of engagement and disengagement with the internet.
Practical implications – The model of internet engagement is used to highlight a number of
strategies that should be considered in future policy intervention in the area of digital inclusion.
Originality/value – The model described offers a more sophisticated instrument for understanding
the issue of the digital divide amongst this excluded group and potentially may be applied more
generally in understanding the complex nature of this issue.
Keywords Internet, User studies, Elderly people
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The internet is argued to be critical to processes of digital engagement (Olphert et al.,
2005) and “the most significant digital provider of information and ...means of access
to information for socially excluded groups” (Social Exclusion Unit, 2005). The benefits
of internet engagement are widely discussed, and are frequently referred to as the
digital dividend (Brink, 2001). For individuals, these benefits include job formation,
faster means of communication, lower costs associated with travel, financial services,
entertainment and goods (PAT, 2000), enhancement of basic freedoms and cultural life
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0959-3845.htm
The authors would like to thank the Welsh Assembly Government for part-funding the research
described in this paper.
ITP
21,3
244
Received 1 March 2007
Revised 13 March 2008
Accepted 6 May 2008
Information Technology & People
Vol. 21 No. 3, 2008
pp. 244-266
q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0959-3845
DOI 10.1108/09593840810896019