Understanding internet appropriation among older people through institutional supports in Spain
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Tirado-Morueta,R; Rodríguez-Martín,A.; Álvarez-Arregui,E; Ortíz-Sobrino.M.A. and Aguaded-Gómez,JA. .Understanding internet appropriation among older people through institutional supports in Spain .Technology in Society, 2021, vol. 64, issue C. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2020.101505
Abstract
The increase in healthy life expectancy and Internet use in developed countries makes it necessary to delve into
Internet usage by older adults in order to harness its benefits. Considering the relevance of formal supports for
the digital literacy of older people, the objectives of this study were (a) to verify whether there is an escalation in
Internet appropriation among older people, and (b) to demonstrate that the usefulness of institutional supports
for Internet appropriation depends on the type of support and age. The participants (N = 560) were retired adults
(age over 54) who resided in Spain and were habitual users of institutional support programs. Two multigroup
analyses with structural equations were performed, using the type of institutional support and the age range as
moderating variables. Three incremental levels of appropriation were found according to their levels of physical
access, use, skills and perceived benefits. Furthermore, the data showed that the effect of formal support for
literacy on Internet appropriation is moderated by type of institution and suggest that institutional supports are
more necessary in older ages.