Older adults and digital technology: A study of user perception and usage behavior

Qingchuan Li, Yan Luximon

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nowadays, with aging society, there are an increasing number of older adults, who are current or potential users of digital technologies. However, how older adults perceive and use digital technologies does not receive sufficient research attentions. This study investigated older adults’ user perception and usage behavior of digital technologies in Hong Kong. A semi-structured interview was designed to understand their feelings and experience of daily digital technology use. The results found that older adults presented positive attitudes to the digital technology use but less self-efficacy of their own capabilities of learning these technologies. The majority of participants reported difficulties when using and learning digital technologies, especially navigation problems. Additionally, there is a tendency of using mobile computing devices instead of computers among older adults. By considering older adults’ special needs and limitations in future digital technology design, a better user experience could be assured.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors - Proceedings of the AHFE 2016 International Conference on Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages155-163
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)9783319416939
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2016
EventInternational Conference on Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors, AHFE 2016 - Walt Disney World, United States
Duration: 27 Jul 201631 Jul 2016

Publication series

NameAdvances in Intelligent Systems and Computing
Volume489
ISSN (Print)2194-5357

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference on Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors, AHFE 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWalt Disney World
Period27/07/1631/07/16

Keywords

  • Digital technology
  • Older adults
  • Usage behavior
  • User perception

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • General Computer Science

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