“The kids probably installed these for grandma” – Older adults’ representations of ICT non-users

Abstract

Abstract

Studies of older adults’ use of information and communication technologies (ICT) tend to divide them into two groups: users and non-users. The definition of non-user varies by context and is often set externally (e.g. by frequency or skill level), while the way in which older adults negotiate these distinctions receives less attention. Understanding older adults’ views and expectations regarding information and communication technologies is required to build digitally inclusive societies. We use the concept of role-distancing and rhetorical discourse analysis to explore how older adults represent information and communication technologies use and how they differentiate themselves and other older adults regarding information and communication technologies use. The data are comprised of interviews with 18 older adults (mean age 79.5 years) who all had experience with digital devices. We identified four rhetorical strategies: the user’s age; the failure of information and communication technologies to meet the user’s standards or, conversely, older adults being perceived as falling short of the normative expectations associated with being a user; emotional distancing; and a brief period of engagement time with information and communication technology devices. The respondents reported that various expectations have been placed on information and communication technologies users and described the ways in which they did not meet these expectations. The evidence highlights the complexity of and the respondents’ ambivalent stance regarding the concept of an ICT user and suggest that older adults view the information and communication technologies user in terms of societal norms and their own personal beliefs and views.