Old Age, the Internet, and Advancing Technology

2013 ◽  
pp. 17-33
Author(s):  
John S. Murnane
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Computer Skills ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Tablet Computers ◽  
Very Old ◽  
Mental Stimulation ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
The Web ◽  
General Computer

The benefits to the old and very old of mental stimulation and close connections with family are well documented. Access to email and the Web can make very large contributions to both. This chapter describes a small research project to place Internet-linked computers in a retirement complex in Melbourne, Australia. The aim was to research the existing computer skills of the residents, provide lessons in the use of email, general computer and Internet use, investigate the most appropriate type of lessons, and document problems and residents areas of interest. This chapter describes ways to minimise problems with applications and hardware, and potential advantages of up-to-date technology such as Tablet computers and ‘Smart’ Television are discussed.

A cross-sectional survey among physicians on Internet use for epilepsy-related information (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Brigo ◽  
Simona Lattanzi ◽  
Giorgia Giussani ◽  
Laura Tassi ◽  
Nicola Pietrafusa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internet Use ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Web

BACKGROUND The Internet has become one of the most important sources of health information, accessed daily by an ever-growing number of both patients and physicians, seeking medical advice and clinical guidance. A deeper insight into the current use of the Web as source of information on epilepsy would help in clarifying the individual attitude towards this medium by Internet users. OBJECTIVE We investigated views towards the Internet in a sample of Italian healthcare specialists involved in epilepsy field, to explore factors which explained the influence of information found on the internet. METHODS This study was a self-administered survey conducted in a group of members of the Italian Chapter of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) in January 2018. RESULTS 184 questionnaires were analyzed. 97.8% of responders reported to seek online information on epilepsy. The Internet was most frequently searched to obtain new information (69.9%) or to confirm a diagnostic or therapeutic decision (37.3%). The influence of consulting the Internet on clinical practice was associated with registration to social network(s) (OR: 2.94; 95%CI: 1.28-6.76; p=0.011), higher frequency of Internet use (OR: 3.66; 95%CI: 1.56-9.21; p=0.006) and higher confidence in reliability of online information (OR: 2.61; 95%CI: 1.09-6.26; p=0.031). No association was found with age, sex, years in epilepsy practice or easiness to find online information. CONCLUSIONS Internet is frequently used among healthcare professionals involved in the epilepsy to obtain information about this disease. The attitude of being influenced by the Internet for diagnostic and/or therapeutic decisions in epilepsy is independent on age and years of experience in epilepsy, and probably reflects an individual approach towards the Web.

scholarly journals Positive and Negative Experiences, E-safety and Sharing with Others: Surfing the Internet and Social Networks and the Correlations Between Experiences, Self-image and Computer Skills Among Children and Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Gila Cohen Zilka
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Computer Skills ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Self Image ◽  
The Many

In light of the many major changes in the lives of children and adolescents due to digital developments, this study sought to examine positive and negative experiences, e-safety and sharing with others while surfing the internet and especially social networks from the point of view of children and adolescents. The study also examined the correlation between these experiences, self-image and computer skills. Participating in this mixed-method study were 373 children and teenagers, who were divided into three age groups. The findings showed a positive correlation between self-image, the level of computer skills and the degree of internet use. The measure of self-esteem was found to correlate positively with the parameters of social networks surfing except for the parameter of negative experiences. Social networks and internet use among 16-18-year-olds was found to be higher than among younger children, with a rise in the number of teenagers’ negative experiences that corresponded to the rise in use. The adolescents also mentioned they had been exposed to violent content at a higher rate than the younger groups.

scholarly journals How Do Home Computer Users Browse the Web?

2022 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Kyle Crichton ◽  
Nicolas Christin ◽  
Lorrie Faith Cranor
Keyword(s):  
Internet Use ◽  
Computer Users ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Home Computer ◽  
Security Behavior ◽  
Browsing Behavior ◽  
The Web ◽  
Analyze Data

With the ubiquity of web tracking, information on how people navigate the internet is abundantly collected yet, due to its proprietary nature, rarely distributed. As a result, our understanding of user browsing primarily derives from small-scale studies conducted more than a decade ago. To provide an broader updated perspective, we analyze data from 257 participants who consented to have their home computer and browsing behavior monitored through the Security Behavior Observatory. Compared to previous work, we find a substantial increase in tabbed browsing and demonstrate the need to include tab information for accurate web measurements. Our results confirm that user browsing is highly centralized, with 50% of internet use spent on 1% of visited websites. However, we also find that users spend a disproportionate amount of time on low-visited websites, areas with a greater likelihood of containing risky content. We then identify the primary gateways to these sites and discuss implications for future research.

scholarly journals Internet Use in Old Age: Results of a German Population-Representative Survey

10.2196/15543 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. e15543
Author(s):  
Janine Quittschalle ◽  
Janine Stein ◽  
Melanie Luppa ◽  
Alexander Pabst ◽  
Margrit Löbner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Internet ◽  
German Population ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related

Background The internet has the potential to foster healthy lifestyles and to support chronic disease management. Older adults could benefit from using the internet and other information and communication technology to access health-related information and interventions available online. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing internet use in older and oldest age groups and to determine the frequency of internet use for health-related purposes. Methods Using data from a nationally representative telephone survey of older adults aged 75 years and over, a sample of 999 people was assessed using structured clinical interviews. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Overall, 42.6% (418/999) of participants used the internet. Among those, 55.7% (233/417) searched the internet for health-related information. Regression analyses revealed that internet use was significantly associated with younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.89, 95% CI 0.85-0.92; P<.001), male gender (OR 2.84, 95% CI 2.02-4.00; P<.001), higher education levels (OR 6.69, 95% CI 4.48-9.99; P<.001), a wider social network (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07; P=.01), higher health-related quality of life (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.03; P=.006), lower levels of depressive symptoms (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.80-0.99; P=.04), and higher rates of chronic illness (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.21; P<.004). Conclusions This study provides population-representative data on internet use in old age in Germany. People in the older and oldest age groups participate in online activities. Understanding the factors that are associated with older adults internet use can contribute to developing tailored interventions and eHealth (electronic health) services to improve well-being in older adults.

scholarly journals Internet Use in Old Age: Results of a German Population-Representative Survey (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Quittschalle ◽  
Janine Stein ◽  
Melanie Luppa ◽  
Alexander Pabst ◽  
Margrit Löbner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Internet ◽  
German Population ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related

BACKGROUND The internet has the potential to foster healthy lifestyles and to support chronic disease management. Older adults could benefit from using the internet and other information and communication technology to access health-related information and interventions available online. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing internet use in older and oldest age groups and to determine the frequency of internet use for health-related purposes. METHODS Using data from a nationally representative telephone survey of older adults aged 75 years and over, a sample of 999 people was assessed using structured clinical interviews. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS Overall, 42.6% (418/999) of participants used the internet. Among those, 55.7% (233/417) searched the internet for health-related information. Regression analyses revealed that internet use was significantly associated with younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.89, 95% CI 0.85-0.92; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), male gender (OR 2.84, 95% CI 2.02-4.00; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), higher education levels (OR 6.69, 95% CI 4.48-9.99; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), a wider social network (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07; <i>P</i>=.01), higher health-related quality of life (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.00-1.03; <i>P</i>=.006), lower levels of depressive symptoms (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.80-0.99; <i>P</i>=.04), and higher rates of chronic illness (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.21; <i>P</i>&lt;.004). CONCLUSIONS This study provides population-representative data on internet use in old age in Germany. People in the older and oldest age groups participate in online activities. Understanding the factors that are associated with older adults internet use can contribute to developing tailored interventions and eHealth (electronic health) services to improve well-being in older adults.

The Onlife in Emerging Adulthood

2020 ◽  
pp. 241-264
Author(s):  
Martina Benvenuti ◽  
Sara Giovagnoli ◽  
Melanie Keep ◽  
Elvis Mazzoni ◽  
Patrizia Selleri
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Emerging Adulthood ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Significant Part ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
New Generation ◽  
The Web

Internet revolutionized our lifestyle. New generation devices like smartphones and tablets allow us to be always connected: the web represents a significant part of our days. These epochal changes bring with them questions about the potentialities and the risks of web. This chapter introduces a research whose purpose is to investigate the Onlife during emerging adulthood divided into two groups—youngerEA (18-24) and olderEA (25-29)—considering both the problematic and the functional side of the use of the internet. Self-esteem, self-control, online and offline social support were considered as factor that influenced the internet use habits. Typology of social networks, time spent online, device used, and number of online contacts are considered. Results show significant differences between youngerEA and olderEA in the use of the web both in problematic and functional way.

scholarly journals Blind faith in the web? Internet use and empowerment among visually and hearing impaired adults: a qualitative study of benefits and barriers

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariek Vanden Abeele ◽  
Rozane de Cock ◽  
Keith Roe
Keyword(s):  
Internet Use ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Disabled Persons ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Family Meeting ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Blind Faith ◽  
The Web

AbstractIn this article we explore and contrast the uses and gratifications (sought and obtained) of the internet for blind/visually impaired and deaf/hearing impaired individuals. The uses and gratifications approach integrates the different issues that surround disabled persons’ internet use into one rich and coherent framework which allows a better understanding of the relationship between benefits obtained from internet use, underlying needs and the barriers that create gaps between gratifications sought and obtained. Based on 21 in-depth interviews, our study shows that both visually and hearing impaired individuals use the internet mostly for gathering information and for communicating with friends and family; meeting new people online was not a priority need. To a great extent these internet uses are driven by the underlying need for independence and active agency. Although our visually and hearing impaired informants share this need, the two groups differ in the gratifications obtained from the internet due to different barriers that hinder their use.

Learning, Old Age and Email

2010 ◽  
pp. 249-262
Author(s):  
John S. Murnane
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Computer Skills ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Research Project ◽  
First Time

This chapter describes a small research project to place Internet-linked computers in a retirement complex in Melbourne, Australia (Murnane 2007, 2008). The aim was to research the existing computer skills of the residents, provide lessons in the use of email and general Internet and computer use, investigate the most appropriate type of lessons, document the problems encountered by very senior people encountering computing and the Internet for the first time, collect research on how they used the computers, the attitudes of financial management, nursing and occupational staff towards the activity, and the involvement of peers, family and friends.

scholarly journals Internet Addiction Through the Phase of Adolescence: A Questionnaire Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Karacic ◽  
Stjepan Oreskovic
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Simple Random Sample ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
School Work ◽  
Male Adolescents ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
And Gender

Background Adolescents increasingly use the Internet for communication, education, entertainment, and other purposes in varying degrees. Given their vulnerable age, they may be prone to Internet addiction. Objective Our aim was to identify possible differences in the purpose of Internet use among adolescents with respect to age subgroup, country of residence, and gender and the distribution of Internet addiction across age subgroups. Another aim was to determine if there is a correlation between the purpose of Internet use and age and if this interaction influences the level of addiction to the Internet. Methods The study included a simple random sample of 1078 adolescents—534 boys and 525 girls—aged 11-18 years attending elementary and grammar schools in Croatia, Finland, and Poland. Adolescents were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire and provide data on age, gender, country of residence, and purpose of Internet use (ie, school/work or entertainment). Collected data were analyzed with the chi-square test for correlations. Results Adolescents mostly used the Internet for entertainment (905/1078, 84.00%). More female than male adolescents used it for school/work (105/525, 20.0% vs 64/534, 12.0%, respectively). Internet for the purpose of school/work was mostly used by Polish adolescents (71/296, 24.0%), followed by Croatian (78/486, 16.0%) and Finnish (24/296, 8.0%) adolescents. The level of Internet addiction was the highest among the 15-16-year-old age subgroup and was lowest in the 11-12-year-old age subgroup. There was a weak but positive correlation between Internet addiction and age subgroup (P=.004). Male adolescents mostly contributed to the correlation between the age subgroup and level of addiction to the Internet (P=.001). Conclusions Adolescents aged 15-16 years, especially male adolescents, are the most prone to the development of Internet addiction, whereas adolescents aged 11-12 years show the lowest level of Internet addiction.

Do otolaryngology out-patients use the internet prior to attending their appointment?

2004 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Tassone ◽  
Christos Georgalas ◽  
Nimesh N. Patel ◽  
Esther Appleby ◽  
Bhik Kotecha
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
Information Resource ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
The Web

The Internet has become a very important source of health information. We wanted to determine otolaryngology patients’ access to, and use of, the Internet as a medical information resource, to identify factors that make patients more likely to use it, and to determine how useful they find this information.A questionnaire survey was completed by patients while waiting for their consultation in the out-patient department of the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital in London. Five hundred and thirty-five questionnaires were completed. Sixty-four per cent (344/535) reported having access to the Web. Of the 344 with access, 62 (18 per cent) had searched the Web for medical information prior to their consultation. Higher education (p <0.001) and age between 18 and 40 years (p = 0.001) correlated significantly with higher Internet use. Ninety-five per cent planned to use the Internet again.Approximately one out of five otolaryngology out-patients with Internet access reported having obtained medical information from the Web before their consultation. The majority found it helpful to some degree and were planning to use it again. As clinicians we should be aware ofthis use and the onus should be on ourselves to review these sites in order to guide our patients to sources of reliable and helpful medical information on the Internet.

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