Disadvantaged elders: Least likely to be online

Benton Foundation

May 12, 2015

Digital Beat

Disadvantaged elders: Least likely to be online

Our previous article noted that only 57-59% of seniors currently use the Internet or go online, compared to 86-88% of all adults age 18+ (Pew Research Center, 2014). This age-based disparity has lessened recently, due in part to: 1) efforts throughout the nation to promote senior digital literacy, and 2) the initial “cohort effect” of tech-savvy baby boomers who began entering the age 65+ category in 2011.

Influence of Income and Education

We also stressed the strong relationship between Internet use and socioeconomic characteristics – household income and educational attainment. The dramatic differences in Internet use by income and education within the older population are shown in the following graphs:

 

Most Advantaged vs. Least Advantaged Elders: A 4 to 1 Ratio of Being Online

The digital divide between the least and most advantaged elders is even more pronounced when education and income are combined. Less than 22% of Americans age 65+ with family incomes below $20,000 and no better than a high school education are Internet users. In comparison, 89% of their age peers with incomes of $50,000 or more and some college education or better are Internet users.

Addressing these digital disparities among seniors will not be easy. Some observers feel that time will “cure” these differences. But ignoring more than 18 million offline seniors is both near-sighted and counter-productive to their well-being. And it would take at least 15 years for these disparities to substantially lessen. Here’s why.

A Possible “Boomer Effect”

Educational attainment differs substantially among the generations. Pre-boomers are the oldest Americans – born before 1946 and now ages 70+. Baby boomers, born during 1946-1964, reached ages 51-69 this year. We believe that the “education effect” on Internet use is mirrored in the “cohort effect” represented by the much higher percentage of Internet users among boomers (84%) than pre-boomers (56%).

The differences in educational attainment between these two generations are substantial. In 2014, less than 11% of persons ages 50-69 did not graduate from high school, compared to nearly 19% who are ages 70+. And 58% of Americans ages 50-69 but only 45% of those ages 70+ had at least some college.

Generational differences in education are mirrored by differences in household income (and exposure to communications technology). Although boomers’ income levels vary greatly, generational differences in median household income are substantial. In 2013, the median household income of persons ages 50-69 was more than double the median income of households headed by someone age 70 or older.

Taken together, these factors help us understand that the age-based digital divide is driven by deeper socioeconomic disparities within the older population.

Reaching Out to Disadvantaged Elders

Given that disadvantaged elders are a large proportion of offline seniors, special outreach efforts are required to help them cross the digital divide by addressing three major barriers: computer anxiety, assumed irrelevance of the Internet, and cost concerns.

Senior Service America, Inc. (SSAI) provides one example of varied efforts around the nation to inspire seniors who are least likely to use computers. SSAI has conducted pilot projects for group “Taste the Internet” sessions using tablets. Age peers, most of whom are participants in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), work with one or two offline seniors to show how easy it is to use tablets and to demonstrate various web-based functions and Internet content of interest to the seniors. Such sessions are labor-intensive but not necessarily costly.

Ideally, “tastings” use the following successful strategies for older learners:

  • Age-peer group coaching or tasting sessions in a congenial, supportive environment
  • Sites that are familiar and trusted institutions
  • Flexible scheduling, with open entry and exit that promotes social engagement
  • Not a structured classroom; no scheduled task-sequencing
  • Self-paced learning, as determined by the senior learner
  • Hands-on and “One-on-One” individual assistance and interaction
  • Opportunities for learners to practice and repeat at will
  • “Keep it simple” and avoid computer jargon except for basic terminology
  • Focus on the senior’s key interests (email, family, news, games)
  • Assist in finding free/low-cost additional training and support, preferably designed for seniors.

Our next article will review other efforts to reduce the senior digital divide and what we’re learning about the use of tablets and other devices for senior learners.


Cecilia Garcia, former Executive Director of the Benton Foundation, is a communications advisor with an extensive background in public affairs, television production and advocacy.

Bob Harootyan is the research manager at Senior Service America, Inc. (SSAI), where he directs internal and external projects related to low-income older workers and the aging workforce. Bob has nearly 50 years of experience in applied research in academia, state government, the U.S. Congress, and national nonprofit organizations. He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America.

Benton, a non-profit, operating foundation, believes that communication policy - rooted in the values of access, equity, and diversity - has the power to deliver new opportunities and strengthen communities to bridge our divides. Our goal is to bring open, affordable, high-capacity broadband to all people in the U.S. to ensure a thriving democracy.


© Benton Foundation 2019. Redistribution of this email publication - both internally and externally - is encouraged if it includes this copyright statement.


For subscribe/unsubscribe info, please email headlinesATbentonDOTorg

Kevin Taglang

Kevin Taglang
Executive Editor, Communications-related Headlines
Benton Foundation
727 Chicago Avenue
Evanston, IL 60202
847-328-3049
headlines AT benton DOT org

Share this edition:

Benton Foundation Benton Foundation Benton Foundation

Benton Foundation

PUBLIC INTEREST VOICES FOR THE DIGITAL AGE