As a researcher in the behavior of older adults, I regularly hear complaints from them like, "I'm just not part of this world anymore. In certain parts of society, I just can't join…Some things just are not possible if you are not in the flow of the Internet." or"We feel like we're standing outside a building that we have no access to."
Today, mastering digital technology has become a key component of what it means to fully participate in society. Butone area in particular threatens to prevent some older adults from making connections: the digital divide.
As a recent study shows, one-third of adults aged 65 and older say they've never used the Internet, and half don't have Internet access at home. Of those who do use the Internet, nearly half say they need someone else's help to set up or use a new digital device.
In contrast to concerns about technology use increasing isolation(孤立；隔离) among younger populations, the communication and connection possible online can be especially valuable for older adults who are homebound, live far away from family, or have lost the loved ones. Older adults can use online tools to connect with friends and family via messaging platforms, video chat, and social media even if they can no longer physically visit them. And they can engage with the outside world through news, blogs, streaming platforms, and email, even if they are no longer able to move about as easily as they once could.
For older adults in particular, the risks associated with social isolation are profound. Loneliness among older adults has been associated with depression, functional decline, and death. Technology can serve as an important tool to help reduce these risks, but only if we provide older adults with the skills they need, to make inclusion in the digital world accessible to them.
The importance of digital inclusion is not going to disappear with the generational changes of the coming decades. Technology is continuously developing, and with each new digital innovation come challenges for even younger adults to adapt.