Older Americans Victimized By ‘Technology Gap’

Miami, FL (AHN) – A “technology gap” exists among older Americans that threatens to turn them into “second-class citizens,” according to Florida State University researchers.

FSU psychology professors Neil Charness and Walter R. Boot said in a statement that both attitudes and abilities of older Americans create barriers to them adopting new forms of technology. The researchers urged designers to consider these barriers when developing new products.

They said the problem is serious because adapting to technology, and specifically computer and Internet technology, is becoming necessary to participate in society.

The researchers cited a 2007 Pew Tracking Survey that showed 85 percent of adults in the 18-24, 25-34 and 35-44 age groups used the Internet, compared with only 39 percent of adults between 65 and 74 and 24 percent of adults between 74 and 84.

Charness and Boot will publish a review of their research in the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science.

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