University to study digital exclusion among older Maltese adults

How do older adults feel about computers and the internet? Do older adults affirm that, nowadays, it is necessary to know how to use computers and surf the internet? Why do many older adults remain without access to computers? Is the cost of purchasing a computer and/or internet service an issue in gaining access in later life? What are the benefits of knowing and actually using computers and internet surfing in later life? Are computer-training sessions tailored to the needs and interests of older adults? What are the psychological barriers faced by potential users of computers and the internet?

These are some of the questions that project co-ordinator Marvin Formosa, at the European Centre for Gerontology, University of Malta, will be investigating in a study on digital inequality amongst older Maltese persons.

The research study, which is sponsored by the Malta Communications Authority, aims to investigate the effects that digital exclusion can have on daily living in later life. It emerged from the concern that recent statistics from Malta’s National Statistics Office hold that only 38.4 and 26.4 percent of persons aged 65-plus have access to and use computers respectively.

Undoubtedly, older adults who do not engage with information and communication technologies [ICTs] face social disadvantage and exclusion. However, the study refutes the commonsensical argument that older persons are more resistant to using ICT than younger people. The hypothesis that is being forwarded is that such lower rates of access to and usage of computers is due to specific socio-economic, psychological and health-related barriers faced by older cohorts and generations.

The results are expected to offer some insight into how Malta can improve e-literacy and e-competence levels amongst older persons. Moreover, studying the wide range of rationales why older adults tend not to engage with ICTs provides further insight into the cause and effect relationship of digital exclusion throughout the second half of the life course. The Research Support Officer for the project is Dr Andrea Rose Zammit.