More Than a Number: The Role of Age in the Digital Engagement of Older Adults in Belgium

Abstract

Age is often seen as the reason why there is a generational difference in the use of digital technologies. Older adults (over the age of 65) themselves will say that they are too old for the use of digital technologies. However, there is a lack of understanding how age is used by older adults to make sense of their own interest or disinterest in the use of digital technologies. Through a series of 76 interviews with Dutch speakers in Belgium between January to November 2021 this paper addresses how older adults perceive the role of age when it comes to digital technology. Through the analysis of three distinct mental models, the techno sage, purposeful chaser, and the proxy lurker, it is possible to explore the way in which age can be used to understand the digital participation of older adults. It concludes that due to a lack of perceived benefit the older non-users are disinclined to invest more time and effort, especially as they obtain the benefits of digitization via their proxy user. By understanding how age can be used to understand the digital technology adoption it becomes clear that it is necessary to engage with older adults within their interests to design technology for and with them.