The Internet, Technology, and the Aging
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Overview
There is no correlation between older people and their ability to access the internet and use new technology. That can not be solved by training. '
Research
There is research, from Heriot-Watt and Strathclyde universities in the UK, that claim the connections between the cells in the frontal lobe suffer a physiological degeneration as people age. “Dr Lauren Potter says: "Older people will have problems when forced to adapt to a new way of doing things. For example, they will find it harder to adapt to digital TV, drive a new car with unfamiliar controls and use other modern household tools and utensils."” Dr. Potter recognizes it is not true the older a person gets the less able they become. She also acknowledges there is future study to understand why some people cope and perform better than others.
In the UK research has found that 28% of the people over 65 have and use the internet on a regular basis. Research has also concluded that half of the people over 65 see no benefit from the internet and exclude themselves from using it.
With many services being offered only on line there is a risk older people will be excluded from receiving the services and benefits offered.
Solutions
The UK has signed an agreement to half the gap to the people at risk by 2010.
John Carbis, a retired Royal Engineer, agrees, “"There is a training need," he says. "Anything new is treated with a modicum of suspicion, which creates a barrier."” Corbis, runs a cybercafé and offers basic computer courses at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea states, that once people know what they are doing they never hand write another letter again. He goes on to say his cybercafé, over the last three years, has gone from 10 to 60 regular internet users.
A Group called Age Concern, an on line web site starting on March 16th, is offering free sessions. The sessions will be open to older and people who have never used a computer before. Their goal is to use social networking to connect people internationally. With over 9 million people in the UK not using the internet, Age Concerns is hoping to get younger people to teach their parents and grandparents how to use the internet and other digital technology. There is evidence most people who start using the internet, continue to use it to communicate with others every day.
References
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/aug/21/technology.news
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5146222.stm
http://www.citizensonline.org.uk/conline/news/display?contentId=5518