Do Age Perception and Network Externalities Help to Explain the Age-Based Digital Divide?

Abstract

Older adults as a group, globally, have a significantly lower rate of internet use than the overall population. Concerns about this age-based digital divide have increased because of the COVID pandemic, since tele-health has been an effective method of delivering medical care to older adults. This study examines the effects of age perception and network externalities on the internet use decision of ablebodied older adults. Data were obtained by in-person interviews of older adults at senior centers. The results of logistic regressions and Chi square analysis showed that negative age perception significantly reduced the probability of internet use and that positive network externalities were associated with a higher rate of internet use. The paper also comments on whether an age-based digital divide will continue as today’s digital natives become older adults.