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“These devices have not been made for older people's needs” – Older adults' perceptions of digital technologies in Finland and Ireland

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  • Pirhonen, Jari
  • Lolich, Luciana
  • Tuominen, Katariina
  • Jolanki, Outi
  • Timonen, Virpi

Abstract

This article examines how older adults use and perceive digital technologies in Finland and Ireland. These two countries are at different stages regarding two important global trends – demographic ageing and digitalization. Finland, being the fastest ageing society in Europe, is also one of the leaders in implementing digital technologies in social and health care services. In contrast, Ireland is a demographically younger and less digitalized society. Drawing on focus group discussions on the usage of digital technologies, conducted with older adults in both countries, we analyse how digital technologies are adopted and viewed by older generations. The analyses showed that older adults associate digitalization with both advantages and drawbacks. To encapsulate these two contrasting aspects, we developed the term Janus-faced conceptions of technology. This concept encapsulates how the successful adoption of digital technology facilitates everyday activities whereas the inability to utilise technologies results in feelings of alienation and being out-of-touch. The digital divide was found to occur not only between generations but also between different socioeconomic groups of older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Pirhonen, Jari & Lolich, Luciana & Tuominen, Katariina & Jolanki, Outi & Timonen, Virpi, 2020. "“These devices have not been made for older people's needs” – Older adults' perceptions of digital technologies in Finland and Ireland," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:62:y:2020:i:c:s0160791x19301794
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101287
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lolich, Luciana & Riccò, Isabella & Deusdad, Blanca & Timonen, Virpi, 2019. "Embracing technology? Health and Social Care professionals' attitudes to the deployment of e-Health initiatives in elder care services in Catalonia and Ireland," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 63-71.
    2. Wendy Currie & Jonathan J.M. Seddon, 2014. "A cross-national analysis of eHealth in the European Union: Some policy and research directions," Post-Print hal-01069994, HAL.
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    3. Kim, Chelsea & Feng, Bo, 2021. "Digital inequality in online reciprocity between generations: A preliminary exploration of ability to use communication technology as a mediator," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    4. Lopez-Sintas, Jordi & Lamberti, Giuseppe & Sukphan, Jakkapong, 2020. "The social structuring of the digital gap in a developing country. The impact of computer and internet access opportunities on internet use in Thailand," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    5. Safarov, Nuriiar, 2021. "Personal experiences of digital public services access and use: Older migrants’ digital choices," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    6. Thi Xuan Hoa Nguyen & Thi Bich Ngoc Tran & Thanh Binh Dao & Galina Barysheva & Chien Thang Nguyen & An Ha Nguyen & Tran Si Lam, 2022. "Elderly People’s Adaptation to the Evolving Digital Society: A Case Study in Vietnam," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-17, July.
    7. Balakrishnan, Vimala & Shuib, Nor Liyana Mohd, 2021. "Drivers and inhibitors for digital payment adoption using the Cashless Society Readiness-Adoption model in Malaysia," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    8. Taipale, Sakari & Oinas, Tomi & Karhinen, Joonas, 2021. "Heterogeneity of traditional and digital media use among older adults: A six-country comparison," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).

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