Use and Access to ICT among Older Adults in Castilla-La Mancha
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65598/rps.6157Keywords:
older people, ITC, access, use, perceptionsAbstract
This study investigates the use and access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by individuals over 64 years old in Castilla-La Mancha, as well as a comparison with other age groups and territories. The results are derived from the research " Nuevos perfiles de población mayor en Castilla-La Mancha," funded by EAPN-CLM and the Ministry of Social Welfare (JCCM), likewise, part of this research has been funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (PID2023‑150587OB‑I00), within the project “Adopción de la tecnología, expertos informales y educación digital en adultos mayores (ADOPTIC65+)”. The study conducts a prospecting of the main variables of access and use of technology among the elderly population, as well as their perception of handling these technologies. This allows for an exploration of their Internet usage, the devices employed, and the types of activities they engage in, along with the differences compared to the national population. A quantitative methodology is employed, utilizing primary data obtained through an ad hoc survey and secondary data from the National Statistics Institute (INE). The main findings indicate that an increasing number of elderly individuals are using ICT, although access and usage are influenced by factors such as age, education level, and insecurity in usage. Perceptions can condition the use of technologies, and previous professional unemployment can affect both the use and the type of device used to access the Internet.
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