Bridging of digital divide
In today’s world new technologies, services and communication platforms are launched almost daily. Together with the blessings of comfort, ease of use and creating an on-line world where time and distance are no longer a barrier – a new generation gap is emerging. The age related digital divide is excluding a whole segment of the population from digital literacy – namely being included in the networked world and enjoy free access to information, knowledge and know how.
Older people tend to give up on offerings with which they feel uncomfortable. Older people are usually technophobes. They tend to refrain from using technologies, where accessibility and usability are not usually adapted to their perceptual, motor and cognitive pace of reaction.
Their desire for a total user experience is shadowed by the fear of not being able to properly apply the necessary skills or not be able to interact with the application in a timely manner. They would rather give up on the potential, in order not to feel inferior.
Whereas all through history the skills, knowledge and authority were transferred from the old to the young, the new technologies have created a situation young children master a skill that seniors can hardly relate to, if at all.
Digital literacy means new capabilities, a language of the information world that youngsters speak fluently. Services that are natural for us, internet based information, communication, instant messaging, e-commerce, consulting e-maps, seeking information, peers, scheduling and much more, are totally unfamiliar to a population that can make good use of the quality of life enhancing capabilities that new technologies bring.
Add to that social network, sophisticated phones, convergence platforms – and an elderly user can get completely lost in this digital avalanche.
Recent researches show that today almost 6 of 10 seniors are not using advanced communications platforms, are not connected to the internet and do not think they ever will log on. Mostly it is due to the fact that they have never used computers before or have no firsthand knowledge of what the Internet or advanced cellular services can do.
Adaptation of the digital world can bring many new potential clients to manufacturers, marketers and service providers on whom they today miss –out. Interfaces, appliances, applications and services should be adapted to the modified skills of more elderly users, They should take into account different age contingencies and accommodate user interfaces accordingly, enable accessibility and man-machine interaction based on age-related ergonomic, sensory and cognitive factors, and offer new services that will enable independent living in the natural surrounding.