The Wisdom of Older Technology (Non)Users

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE not to notice that many of the questions driving research on technology use by older adults today are the same as those at the forefront of aging and accessibility research 20 years ago. Back then, computers were predominantly large desktops, social media was still on the horizon, and mobile phones were large and not (yet) smart. Older adults had little presence on the Internet. Today, devices have changed and older adults are increasingly online.(9,15) They do, however, continue to lag in broadband use, breadth of applications used, and time online.(12) Typical reports reflect they have little interest in social media (other than staying in touch with family) and are skeptical of online financial transactions.(17)