Digital elders. ICTs, relations and everyday life of the young old in Italy

Transcription

1 Digital elders. ICTs, relations and everyday life of the young old in Italy Nutrire la memoria per nutrire le generazioni: anziani attivi e benessere Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore - 12 Maggio 2015

2 Introduction

3 European context y/o All individuals Percentage of individuals that never use the Internet by age group. Sources: Digital agenda data

4 European context y/o y/o Individuals who are regular Internet users (at least once a week). Source: European Commission

5 European context Individuals who are regular Internet users (at least once a week). Individual, 65 to 74 years old. Source: European Commission

6 European context Individuals who are regular Internet users (at least once a week). Individual, 65 to 74 years old. Source: European Commission

7 Young elderly and ICTs: risks and opportunities in active aging

8 The research Research questions: 1) (a) What are the socio- demographic characteristics of elderly Italian Internet users?; (b) What factors are related to the use of ICTs by these older users? 2) (a) How are ICTs used and incorporated (Silverstone & Hirsch, 1992) into the everyday life of the elderly and in their leisure?; (b) How do they contribute to an improved quality of life and active ageing (Nimrod, 2007)?

9 Introduction The research project presented, lasting 1 year, is based on (1) an in-depth theoretical study about ageing (2) a survey with Italian young elderlies (65-74 years) about ICTs (N=900) (3) 20 family interviews in Milan area.

10 1. Survey

11 ICT use With regard to media use, the questionnaire aimed to investigate: Choice of technological devices (personal and domestic digital devices). The preferred times and amount of time spent using PCs and the Internet Ways of using PCs and the Internet (chosen places, platforms used and people involved). Types of activities carried out using PCs and the Internet. Ways of learning how to use PCs, online services and the Internet (places and people in-volved in the learning activity). Reasons for using the Internet (changes in the lives of the elderly caused by the use of the Internet; fears, anxieties, enthusiasm in the use of PCs and the Internet).

12 The survey Desktop Computer Desktop Computer according to age groups (% within these categories) owned and used % within years Age group Gender years Male Female Total 20,3% 12,8% 23,1% 11,3% 16,7% owned and not used % within 2,1% 1,7% 1,4% 2,1% 1,9% not owned but used not owned and not used % within % within 1,7% 1,2% 2,2% 1,0% 1,5% 75,9% 84,4% 73,3% 85,6% 79,9% Total % within 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% 100,0%

13 The survey Laptop computer o netbook Possiede e usa Possiede ma non usa Non possiede ma usa Non possiede e non usa Laptop computer or netbook per età e gender (% all interno di queste categorie) % within % within % within % within anni Età Genere anni Maschi Femmine Totale 24,0% 10,2% 22,6% 13,3% 17,5% 4,0% 2,4% 4,6% 2,1% 3,2%,6%,5% 1,0%,2%,6% 71,4% 87,0% 71,9% 84,4% 78,7% Totale Totale: tutti gli italiani tra i 65 e i 74 anni % within 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% 100,0%

14 The survey At what age do you start to use computer? At what age do you start to use computer? (% within these categories) Total: Italian elderly aged years old accessing the Internet Before 50 y/o Between 50 and 59 y/o % within % within years Age group Gender years Male Female Total 49,7% 30,9% 47,6% 37,2% 43,6% 24,8% 34,6% 26,5% 30,9% 28,1% Between 60 to 64 y/o After 64 y/o % within % within 18,6% 19,8% 19,0% 19,1% 19,0% 6,8% 14,8% 6,8% 12,8% 9,1% Total % within 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% 100,0%

15 The survey % have learned to use the computer at work: - males (57.8 %) vs females (37.6 %) - Males have a solitary learning approach, either practical (45.5% vs % of women) or by using manuals (14.9% vs. 6.9%). - Women are making more use, in addition to courses, of the help of younger friends or relatives (36.6% vs % of males ) or peers (9.9% vs. 2.6%). Total: Italian elderly aged years old accessing the Internet

16 The survey - Home is the best place for Internet access: % of domestic connections % of connections at work - 5,5% of mobility - The elderly mostly access the Internet by themselves - with the partner (19.2%), - with their children (17.6%), - with their grandchildren (4.7%). Total: Italian elderly aged years old accessing the Internet

17 The survey Sometime a year % within Age group years years Male Gender Female Total 1,3% 4,1% 2,1% 3,4% 2,6% Frequency of Internet use during the week At least once a month % within At least once a week Almost every day % within % within 5,1% 12,2% 4,9% 11,2% 7,4% 17,9% 20,3% 18,3% 19,1% 18,6% 75,6% 63,5% 74,6% 66,3% 71,4% Total % within 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% Total: Italian elderly aged years old accessing the Internet

18 The survey Main online activities: - Search for information: 79.2% - Use % - Search for information about everyday life: 63.9% - Check for updates about health 53.1% - Use the Internet for administrative practices 44.5% - Book medical checks and consult medical records online 16.5% Total: Italian elderly aged years old accessing the Internet

19 Social network

20 Social network Totale: Total: Italian elderly aged years old accessing the Internet Never % within anni Age anni Gender Maschi Femmine Totale 68,2% 78,9% 72,1% 71,1% 71,7% Use of Facebook Sometimes in a month 1-2 times a week % within % within 7,8% 5,3% 7,9% 4,4% 6,5% 5,2% 5,3% 7,1% 3,3% 5,7% Everyday % within 18,8% 10,5% 12,9% 21,1% 16,1% Totale % within 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% 100,0% 100,0%

21 Anziani e vita quotidiana Two-thirds of the digital elderly noted positive changes with regard to the cognitive dimension (information and interests), third refers to positive changes in the sphere of relationships ("I stay in touch with my friends and family") and in the overall perception about their activities ("compared to my peers without Internet I feel more active"). For many respondents Internet is a resource to receive news about health (40.3%) and treatment of disease (29.9%).

22 Anziani e vita quotidiana Fears related to the use of the Internet: a part of digital elderly is afraid to make mistakes, or that their privacy is violated (over 20%), or they do not know how to evaluate the reliability of online sources (18.7%).

23 ICTs and correlations Economic condition Status appears to be significantly correlated to technological equipment, the use of PCs and the Internet, and the use of SNS. Cultural condition the use of technology, of PCs, the Internet and SNS were all significantly correlated with indices of cultural and media consumption. A culturally active life is linked to intensive use of digital media, just as the use and consumption of digital media does not replace old media, but rather links this usage to a high use of media (both in terms of time and variety of means). Wellbeing the use of PCs and the Internet and the use of SNS, appear to be those relating to the index of physical activity and number of friends, while the most significant inverse correlation concerns the users perceived age.

24 ICTs and correlations the data indicate that the possession and use of ICTs is more likely to accompany an elderly condition characterized by good levels of physical activity, a large number of friends and a low perceived age.

25 2. The ethnography

26 Domestication of Digital Media Three major paths of domestication: The Digital Experienced Elderly New Digital Elderly in an Old Digital Home New Digital Elderly in a new Digital Home

27 Domestication of Digital Media 1) The Digital Experienced Elderly word processing, data entry, Office suite, accounting and management software. since the early 90s, these elderly decided to have at home these tools which they (partially) learned how to use at work the use of computer was a largely established and domesticated in the family history. PCs became available to the whole family at this early stage, the parents taught to their children the computer and the Internet basics, particularly because of educational needs of their children PC was placed in the children rooms, although access was shared and familiar, but in any case negotiated with the children The sudden availability of time and of a free room and computer (because of their children leaving the house) completely changed their approach to the computer.

28 Domestication of Digital Media 2) New Digital Elderly in a new Digital Home: They are housewives, workers, retirees from the late 80s, mid-90s, and they have never had the need to use the computer for their work. They are also without children, or with children who have not had the need or the opportunity in the past to own a computer. They have bought (or have been given) a computer only in recent times and if not very recent, when the children were already out from home: the reasons to buy the PC are often linked to a general curiosity many of these individuals are still learning how to use PC and the Internet, and in some cases with some difficulties: they show that they are constantly looking for help and assistance outside the family coming from friends, neighbors, children s friends, service centers, shop assistants

29 Domestication of Digital Media 3) New Digital Elderly in an Old Digital Home: These elderly have approached the ICTs only in recent times despite having computers and laptops of children or partner at home. This approach does not take place completely independently, but it affects the family: these elderly are helped by their already digitized relatives (children and partly by the partner and grandchildren) Unlike the previous users, for these users the family network, the processes of intergenerational learning are essential to take full advantage of the digital. The presence of a second-hand (given by the children) computer at home, the aid of the children are all key elements favoring the entry of such individuals in the digital world.

30 Places of the ICTs 1) The first type of family, having a PC at home from several years, has left the computer in the same location, the children s room, transforming it (more or less radically) in a study area "It was my son's room, there are still his books and CDs, and here he had his computer (F, 74, GC).

31 Places of the ICTs 1) This room is used primarily by one of the partners (usually the more digitized, who has more control and availability of the computer) and not equally by both of them: increasing isolation and separation "It 'became my studio, I put myself here quiet, nobody bothers me, I have my computer, my printer." (M, 69, GC).

32 Places of the ICTs 2) The families and the elderly who have only recently introduced the computers in the household or do not have a room to be assigned to PCs, have adapted the space of the house to make room for the computer. "I put on the kitchen table, pull it out of the bag, and the mouse is ready" (M, 72, GC)

33 Places of the ICTs 2) In some cases, the arrangement of the workstation is a daily routine. "Cleared the table, leave under another tablecloth so do not ruin the table and I put the computer (F, 72, PC)

34 Methods of Use Time saving: A strongly focused use aimed at doing something specific, at carrying on a task and at saving time for a task which would have required more efforts (one above all: home banking). Internet becomes a useful tool to save time. Browsing sessions, often short, do not stand in a precise moment of the day but when a specific need requires it.

35 Methods of Use Time spending: Used without any specific purpose and often at the same time (after waking up in the morning, after lunch, before dinner, before going to bed, etc). For some people, spending time activities are so central to browsing sessions, to transform the nature of certain actions and capabilities of computers and the Internet: I have 5-6 addresses. Why? Because of curiosity I made them with all sites: Yahoo, Virgilio, Gmail, MSN... I pass the time, I open a bit ', then I'll put the information, sometimes I send the from one address to another... (M, 72, GC) I like to be ordered, for example I have the leaflets of the activities of my club, I take them, scan them, I make folders and save them, we spend time (F, 72, PC)

36 Methods of Use Our interviewees have mainly a hybrid use. The sum of these two behaviors involves, in terms of time, a very intense use of the computer and the Internet by the respondents. As soon as I wake up turn on the PC, then lunch, then we return, then nap, then in the evening before dinner and before going to sleep hours per PC per day there'll be (M, 72, GC) The extended and excessive use of the Internet is in some cases regarded as an issue concerning family life My husband is not very happy that I spend so many hours at the computer, maybe it's true, but better than being in front of the television as he does... but maybe when you're watching TV you can comment, on the Internet you do your business, you're more silent (F, 72, PC) At computer the time goes fast, you will not even notice it, maybe it's sunny, you could go out but instead you say on YouTube (M, 69, GC)

37 Social dimension Maintenance of their network of family and intimate, extended geographically: I have a friend of mine, now he is in Rome and we send articles, news, also things about our region. Then in the summer we'll see (M, 73, GC) Connection: I have this routine every morning: I turn on the computer, I wait when my daughter started working, I go on Gmail and use the chat for half an hour chatting with her (F, 69, GC) Not intimacy: by I can t talk about important issues, but I have to speak face-to-face if I have to clarify or say important things(f, 72, PC)

38 Social relations The opportunity offered by social networks in extending the social network is not considered positive or useful: Meet new people does not attract me much... arrived at my age is not that you need one, maybe you need to keep in touch more often with people who already know (F, 67, PC) Exceptions are those edelrly who are looking for in Facebook new people linked to particular passions, hobbies, associations: [Facebook] we opened it with my husband for smooth, together, so we have updates on the schools, ask friendship friends of the course and instructors (F, 67, PC) Refuse the idea of using Facebook as a tool to retrieve old friendships lost over the years: the idea of going to seek the friendship to people who have not seen for 30 years, frankly, does not attract me, the people with whom I was in contact with are those with which it was worth doing, the others... are now gone (F, 67, PC)

39 Familiar context ICTs can help the young elderly to broad their relational network (inside and outside the family) but also to close themselves in the household sharpening isolation between the partners. My son says: "Mom, I send photos to Facebook, I do a whatzapp, I write to you via chat, etc..." at least I know what it's about (F, 67, PC) I have perceived as a problem at some point, because I often spent nights on Wikipedia (M, 73, GC) I speak less with my wife, maybe I m using computer.. When we watched TV we used to talk more... it's ugly but it's true (M, 66, GC) Increasing isolation and separation (especially in the afternoon, and in the evening) between the couple: the asymmetric digitization has radicalized the differences among partners. My husband always tells me: but how many hours are there in the computer? But he does not understand, I doesn t know how to use computer. He is envious (F, 72, PC)

40 4. Conclusion

41 Digital elderly and wellbeing the digitalized elderly feature as a (significant) minority in the Italian popula-tion aged between 65 and 74, and share highly specific, distinctive demographic and rela-tional characteristics in relation to their non-digitalized counterparts, with a stable economic and employment condition coming first, followed by a higher level of education, as well as a satisfying relational context and good levels of physical activity. the domestic context seems to be crucial to the adoption of new technologies and influences their «good use»: Media consumption by the elderly is developed within both temporal and spatial contexts, and produces processes of media domestication and routine that are shared / negotiated within the family.

42 Digital elderly and wellbeing the Internet is extensively and continuatively used by our digitalized elders. The majority of the (few) younger elders who access the Internet are in fact heavy users. Accessing the Internet is a common practice rooted and incorporated into the everyday life of our sample: once they have crossed the threshold of Internet access, users become mature users in all respects and are no longer occasional visitors. ICTs can help the young elderly to broad their relational network (inside and outside the family) but also to close themselves in the household sharpening isolation between the partners. ICTs are both promoting active ageing (enabling update, the relationships and brain activity), but also new risks of loneliness

43 Digital elderly and active ageing ICT as tools of empowerment (personal and social) as well as potential sources of risk. The complex and dual relationship between ICTs and risks / benefits for users is partial marginaled in the the debate regarding digital ederly. Active ageing means quality of life and being able to experience a sense of subjectively and socially rewarding ageing: quality and gratification that also depends on (conscious, careful, thoughtful, moderate, in relational contexts) good use of the ICTs.