Technology obsolescence across the adult lifespan in a USA internet sample

Bibliographic Data

ID22068182
AuthorsNicholas Gray (0009-0008-4519-874X, Florida State University, corresponding author), Neil Charne (0000-0002-1002-3439, Florida State University), Neil Charness
Year2022
Volume10
Pages1005822-1005822
Publication date2022-10-06
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.1005822
PMID36276351
OpenAlexW4302303966
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited27

We know that older adults are less likely to own certain technological devices, such as smartphones, a technology now integral to telehealth. However, for those older adults who do own devices, we know very little about how their devices may differ from those of younger adults. The age of a device can determine the types of programs it can run, as well as the level of protection it has against malicious code. The following study is an attempt to understand the ages of devices owned by different demographic groups. An electronic survey was sent to American adults from ages 19–97, querying the types of devices they own, how old those devices are, when they plan on replacing them, and demographic information. Regression models were employed to determine the factors that predict device ownership and the age of the devices owned. We replicate the finding that older adults are less likely to own certain devices, like smartphones and laptops. However, they may be more likely to own more dated devices, such as non-smart mobile phones. Models of device age showed that older adults are more likely to own older smartphones, as well as older desktop and laptop computers. Thus, older adults may be more susceptible to hacking, due to obsolete technology. In some cases, they also may not have devices modern enough for technology-based health interventions. Thus, obsolete devices may present an additional barrier for adoption of technology-based interventions by older adults

Business · Health care · Internet privacy · Laptop · Mobile device · Obsolescence · Psychological intervention · Telehealth · Telemedicine · The Internet · Wearable computer · Wearable technology · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Nursing · Technology Adoption and User Behaviour · Technology Use by Older Adults · Gerontology

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Open DOIOpen Access