JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

As societies digitalize, unequal access and use of technology risk creating a digital divide where older adults often are disadvantaged. While newer generations of older adults have higher levels of access and daily internet use, digital insecurities—worries and fears regarding cyberthreats and cybercrime — are suggested to be a barrier to their digital inclusion. Little is known about the characteristics of older adults who avoid digital technology due to insecurities, and there is also limited quantitative research on how insecurities affect older adults’ use and embracement of digital technology.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to characterize which older adults avoid digital technology due to insecurities and to examine the association between this avoidance and their levels of digital use and embracement.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study utilized data from the "Healthy Ageing in the Digital Society (HeADS)" survey, involving 451 participants, mean age 69 years (age range 55-92 years), in Sweden. Avoidance was assessed across five domains (e.g., e-commerce, smart devices, chatting with strangers). Digital inclusion was analyzed using measures for independent use (second-level divide), digital usage, and the Digital Living Index (DLI), which measures digital benefit and embracement (third-level divide). Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the associations.

Results:

Over 70% of participants reported at least one form of avoidance due to insecurity, with chatting with unknown individuals (60.9%) and e-commerce (31.6%) being the most common. Higher levels of avoidance were significantly associated with female gender, older age, and a lower ability to use technology independently. Importantly, digital insecurity-related avoidance was found to be an independent barrier to digital embracement, even when accounting for potential confounders. Furthermore, over 50% of participants expressed a strong interest in learning more about safe digital use.

Conclusions:

Digital insecurity-related avoidance contribute to widening the digital divide by preventing late middle aged and older adults from fully realizing the benefits of digital services, despite having access and basic skills. To foster digital inclusion, support interventions must move beyond technical training and focus on building confidence and providing practical strategies for navigating the digital environment safely. Many late middle aged and older adults see the need of such support.