Standing in front of the digital wave: A qualitative study on the digital divide within middle-aged and older adults group

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore how the within-group digital divide occurs among middle-aged and older adults. For this, the statements of twenty middle-aged and older adults aged 55 and above about their daily use of digital devices were qualitatively analyzed based on Creswell’s data analysis spiral. Applying the systematic process for coding data, the participants were divided into three groups; the ‘following’ group that diligently follows the changes for coexistence with the younger generation, the ‘lagging’ group that was reluctant to follow these changes due to the lack of meaning or necessity of using digital technology, and the ‘pushed’ group that had no choice but to be pushed by social currents to survive. The semantic units derived from each group were classified based on the micro-environment, awareness of the macro-environment, attitudes toward digital technology acceptance, and digital technology acceptance behaviors, through the categorization process. Based on the contents of the meaning of various sub-themes of each group, this study presented detailed discussions and suggestions for each group. This study is meaningful in empirically exploring the reality of digital technology acceptance experienced in daily life through the voice of middle-aged and older adults in the middle of ‘the digital wave’. Also, the findings from this study suggest more effective and customized intervention plans to minimize social exclusion and inequality of middle-aged and older adults living in the digital age.