A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Enhancing Older Adults’ Digital Inclusion Through Social Support : A Qualitative Interview Study (2022)

Kuoppamäki, S., Hänninen, R., & Taipale, S. (2022). Enhancing Older Adults’ Digital Inclusion Through Social Support : A Qualitative Interview Study. In P. Tsatsou (Ed.), Vulnerable People and Digital Inclusion : Theoretical and Applied Perspectives (pp. 211-230). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94122-2_11

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kuoppamäki, Sanna; Hänninen, Riitta; Taipale, Sakari

Parent publication: Vulnerable People and Digital Inclusion : Theoretical and Applied Perspectives

Parent publication editors: Tsatsou, Panayiota

ISBN: 978-3-030-94121-5

eISBN: 978-3-030-94122-2

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 31/08/2022

Pages range: 211-230

Number of pages in the book: 346

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Place of Publication: Cham

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-94122-2_11

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/87214

Additional information: Correction to: Enhancing Older Adults’ Digital Inclusion Through Social Support : A Qualitative Interview Study DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-94122-2_19

Abstract

A lack of social support can hinder older adults’ digital inclusion. This chapter examines the connection between social and digital inclusion by focusing on the process of acquiring social support for digital technology use among older adults in Finland. Building on the concept of warm expert, the chapter shows that acquiring support for digital technology use is a reciprocal process that both enhances and requires digital inclusion. A qualitative analysis of 22 participant-induced elicitation interviews was conducted with older adults aged between 57 and 89. The chapter shows that social support reinforces digital inclusion by (a) ensuring older adults’ access to technology, (b) catering for their positive approach towards technology and (c) improving their skills to use technology independently. The connection between social and digital inclusion also operates the other way round. Digital inclusion is required to gain social support that is more readily at hand in a technology-mediated manner.

Keywords: older people; digital competence; social inclusion; social support; digitalisation; digital divide

Free keywords: digital skills; elicitation; older adults; social inclusion; social support; warm expert

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

Preliminary JUFO rating: 3