Silver Surfers

By Hayley Thompson

sil・ver surf・er

NounAn elderly person who is a regular or

enthusiastic internet user

Seniors have been late adopters in the world of technology; however their movement in digital life continues to deepen. Seniors are now divided into two groups, ones who use and see the benefits of using technology, and the

ones who do not. In this day and age will the seniors who don’t get on board the tech train be left behind in this quickly arising technology based

world?

“Today 53% of seniors have

used the web”

“The top reason given for not using the web is because it doesn’t seem relevant”

Canada’s Digital Divide

iHave VS. iHaveNots

“Younger, higher-income, and more highly educated seniors use the internet and broadband at rates approaching -or even exceeding -the general population; internet use and broadband adoption each drop off dramatically around age 75”

What are the

Of being a silver surfer?

The internet has the potential to decrease the risk of depression in

the elderly by 30%

This is the

touch-screen

generation;

therefore seniors

using the web can

more easily

communicate with

their children and

grandkids

What will happen to the digitally disconnected seniors?

“I feel like I’m falling further and further behind... and I doubt if I’ll ever catch up” -male age 76

“How long will there be print yellow pages? How long will there be print newspapers? Without internet access, older people could feel

even more cut off than they already do”

How could we make technology and internet more senior user friendly?

Older adults face many hurdles when adopting to new technology

● Physical challenges● Skeptical attitudes● Difficulties learning

Organizing Web Information for Older Adults ● Make it clear how

information is organized

● Put key information first

● Break information into short sections

● Write a clear informative heading, for each section

“Most older adults say they would need assistance learning how to use new devices and digital services”

“Adults will learn how to use it when it

is meaningful for them, they are not

going to learn how to use it in the

abstract”

Once online, most seniors make the internet a daily part of their lives and view it in a positive light. Non-users are divided on the relative merits of going online

Overall, internet and broadband rates among seniors are steadily increasing but still well

below the national average

CitationsCurtis, S. (2014). Rise of the Silver Surfers. The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10683749/Rise-of-the-silver-surfers.html

Harris, M. (2013). Rise of the Silver Surfers: More seniors online but barriers to culture persist. New National. Retrieved from http://o.canada.com/news/national/silver-surfers

Kielburger, C., Kielburger, M. (2013). How Can We Help Canadians Gain Better Access to the Internet?. The Globe and Mail, L2. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/giving/have-your-say-how-can-we-help-canadians-gain-better-access-to-the-internet/article15585113/

Krashinsky, S. (2014). Four Ways Canadians are Consuming Media Differently. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/four-ways-canadians-are-consuming-media-differently/article21949630/

Kyungo, K. (2014). Understanding Older Individuals Emotional Responses to New Technology Associated With Healthy Lifestyle Choice. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 14, 138-147. http://efsupit.ro/images/stories/nr2.2014/2.%20Art%2022,%20%20pp.%20138%20-%20147.pdf

Citations

Matrix, S. E. (September 21, 2016). Media Use Research Lecture. Module 1. Slides 12, 15-18, 20, 22-24. Queen’s University.

Richards, L. (2013). Stats: Time to Reassess and Redefine Silver Surfers?. Econsultancy. Retrieved from https://econsultancy.com/blog/62338-stats-time-to-reassess-and-redefine-silver-surfers/

Smith, A. (2014). Older Adults and Technology Use. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/03/attitudes-impacts-and-barriers-to-adoption/

(2016). Silver Surfers: Internet Usage Among Older Users. Accredited Online Colleges. Retrieved from http://www.accredited-online-college.org/internet-usage/