A1 Journal article (refereed)
Heterogeneity of traditional and digital media use among older adults : A six-country comparison (2021)

Taipale, S., Oinas, T., & Karhinen, J. (2021). Heterogeneity of traditional and digital media use among older adults : A six-country comparison. Technology in Society, 66, Article 101642. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101642

The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Taipale, Sakari; Oinas, Tomi; Karhinen, Joonas

Journal or series: Technology in Society

ISSN: 0160-791X

eISSN: 1879-3274

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 66

Article number: 101642

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2021.101642

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76936

Abstract

The concept of aged heterogeneity has been associated with older adults' ability to adapt to the digital age without a systematic empirical analysis. We analyse retired adults' (aged 62 or more) use of traditional media and their digital equivalents in six countries. First, we ask whether heterogeneity in traditional and digital media use increases with age. Second, we study to what extent gender is related to this heterogeneity, and third, the country differences in the heterogeneity of media use in later life. We analyse the 2018 data (N = 5865) of the ‘Older audiences in the digital media environment’ survey using zero-inflated negative binomial models. The results provide partial support for aged heterogeneity in connection to digital media use. Gender differences were small and stable across cohorts, except in reading printed books, which increased with age among women. Country differences in the adoption and use of traditional and digital media were large.

Keywords: older people; media use; mass media; television (mass media); newspapers; new media; Internet; heterogeneity; international comparison

Free keywords: aged heterogeneity; digital media; traditional media; the internet; older adults

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

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