Older Adults and Their Internet Behaviors

Initial Research

The earliest publications concerning older persons’ Internet behaviors – before the word Internet was ever used - focused on the initially speculative idea that technological solutions, connected computers included, could be applied to the ordinary daily lives of older persons in their homes and communities. Theorists initially centered their attention on two-way communication, especially to mitigate perceived loneliness. For example, Ramm and Gianturco (1973), computer scientist and psychiatrist, respectively, conceived of a “picture communication system with the aid of computers” that could aid in personalized entertainment and personalized education” as well as “allowing a person to work at home” (p. 325) in order to fight isolation and feelings of uselessness.

Elderly persons’ communication through computer technology was also the focus of the first published experiment in this area. Danowski and Sacks (1980), communications researchers, conducted a small quasi-experimental study with 30 middle income retirees living in a senior citizen complex in Los Angeles, USA. To the seeming surprise of the researchers, participants preferred interactive, real-time computer messaging with other users more than playing computer games. As Ramm and Gianturco (1973) had predicted, there were significant increases among the 13 post-treatment respondents in feeling more self-confident and less alone, and in the belief that computers can aid senior citizens. The authors concluded that online computers enhance elderly users’ control and influence over the social environment.