A Study on Factors Affecting the Outcomes of Information Use by the Elderly - Focusing on the Digital Support

Abstract

Purpose The focus of digital divide research has been turning from the gap between access to information (1^st level digital divide) and the usage of information (2^nd level digital divide) to the outcomes of the information use (3^rd level digital divide) (Wei et al., 2011). In line with this paradigm shift, this study aims to examine the factors affecting outcomes of information use among elderlies. Especially, the article aims to focus on whether there is a difference in information use depending on the usage patterns of digital support (Ko and Park, 2021).  Method The data of 1,088 Internet users over 60 years of age in the <2019 Digital Divide Survey> by NIA was used. Influencing factors include demographic factors, digital skills, psychological factor such as motivation of using digital equipment, and social factor such as digital support meaning the social support that can be used to solve problems while using digital devices. As a result of K-means cluster analysis of usage pattern of digital support, it was divided into four clusters: family-dependent low-usage pattern, professional manpower-centered low-usage pattern, medium-usage pattern, and high-usage pattern. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed with these variables. Results and Discussion It was found that age, digital skills, motivation, and digital support had a significant effect. Among the patterns of digital support, the limit of family dependence, the most natural and common pattern, was confirmed. These results suggest that we need i) to devise measures for older people, ii) to implement differentiated ICT education for each group of the elderly in consideration of demographic factors and digital skills, and iii) to provide a variety of digital support other than families.

References

Wei, K. K., Teo, H. H., Chan, H. C., & Tan, B. C. (2011). Conceptualizing and testing a social cognitive model of the digital divide. Information Systems Research, 22(1), 170-187.

Ko, J. H., & Park, S. J. (2021). A comparison of the patterns and characteristics of the use of digital supporters for the promotion of information use among the elderly. Korean Association for Regional Information Society,  24(2), 1-30.

Keywords: digital divide, the elderly, results of information use, digital support

Address: Department of Library and Information Science, Kyungpook National University, Republic of Korea

Email: jhko@knu.ac.kr, yumikim@knu.ac.kr