NinaHorvath.Older Adults and Tech Paper

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University of North Carolina, Greensboro *

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204

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Sociology

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Jan 9, 2024

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Nina Horvath HDF 204-01 1 HDF 204-01 Nina Horvath Final Paper: Technology Use assignment

Nina Horvath HDF 204-01 2 Technology Use Interview assignment A. Instructions 1. Each student please collect information from: a) One older person (age 65 plus) b) One teenager (age 13 through 18) c) Yourself 2. Please read all the questions before interviewing anyone, so you are familiar with the questions and answers. 3. Before you interview anyone, please get their informed consent. Put your initials here _NH______ to confirm this is done. To inform your participants: a. let them know that you would like to interview them for a class assignment. b. their privacy will be protected – they will never be identified by name. d. The instructor will collect the interview sheets online, on a secure, password protected site. To gain consent from your participants: a. Let them know that their participation is voluntary, they can refuse, or stop at any time. b. There is no cost to them to participate. c. They will not be paid anything to participate. 4. The Interview Questions begin on this page and continue to the next page. There are 14 questions in all. Make sure you answer all the questions from all the participants. Please type your answers in the spaces provided. It’s OK if the answers take more place – let the boxes expand to give you as much space as you need. Do NOT handwrite answers. Please make sure to read the questions through and become familiar with them before conducting your interviews. You can practice with someone if you wish. I look forward to reading your answers. B. Interview questions There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers: please encourage everyone to answer candidly. Question Teenager Yourself Older adult 1 Age 15 19 79 2 Gender (write F or M or O for nonbinary/ other) F F M 3 Race/ethnicity White White White 4 Highest education completed attending high school High school graduate High school graduate 5 Current job. If in school, write ‘school’; if retired, write ‘retired’ and most recent job school school Retired, policeman 6 Live in a: city / town / rural area town city town 7 Current health status (write one: excellent, good, fair, poor) excellent excellent excellent 8 Any health issues (write the top two) no no no 9 Does this person use the following: (write Y if yes, leave blank if no): a Cellphone Y b Smartphone Y Y c Tablet (e.g. iPad, Nexus, etc.) Y Y d e-Reader (e.g. Kindle, Nook, etc) Y e Laptop computer Y Y f Desktop computer g Any other device TV TV TV 10 Do they access the Internet (yes or no) Y Y

Nina Horvath HDF 204-01 3 a If yes, what do they access it for? (write their comments in their own words) She accesses the Internet for a variety of purposes. It's her main tool for school-related tasks. But she also enjoys watching YouTube, Netflix for entertainment. And Social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat are important for staying connected with friends and sharing moments. She uses the internet for both educational and leisure activities. It's like my go-to for everything. I'm always on it for school stuff, doing research, finding information, and completing assignments. But it's not just about school. I use social media a lot too, like Instagram and Snapchat, to stay in the loop with my friends and share what's going on in my life. And, of course, there's music and videos for entertainment. b If no, why not (write their views in their own words) No, he doesn't use the Internet. He prefers more traditional methods of obtaining information and staying connected, such as reading newspapers, watching TV, and talking to friends in person or over the phone. 11 What are their views on the pros AND cons of internet access and device use? (write the views in their own words) She expresses a positive view on Internet access and device use, highlighting the convenience of quick information retrieval, social interaction, and entertainment. It aids in schoolwork and staying connected with friends. However, she acknowledges potential drawbacks, such as the risk of misinformation and excessive screen time impacting physical health. I see Internet access and device use as highly advantageous for staying informed, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a convenient way to access a vast array of information and connect with others. However, I acknowledge the potential downside of overreliance, leading to misinformation, and the importance of balancing screen time for overall well-being. Even though he doesn’t use the Internet he still sees the advantages that come with it, acknowledging the convenience of Internet access and device use for staying connected with family and friends and the easy access to a vast array of information. However, he mentions the challenge of navigating the online environment without the technological skills, and the risk of encountering misinformation.

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Nina Horvath HDF 204-01 4 12 What is their preferred source for health information? Please read out ALL the options to them and ask them to name their top three choices: Please check their top three choices You can use an X mark on the box or highlight the selected choices, whatever works for you. Medical professional in person Medical professional online appointment Pamphlet or magazine article Friends or family Newspaper or magazine TV or radio news Facebook, TikTok, or other social media Church or religious leader Health Website Text/Tweet/ App on a phone Other (write in) Medical professional in person Medical professional online appointment Pamphlet or magazine article Friends or family Newspaper or magazine TV or radio news Facebook, TikTok, or other social media Church or religious leader Health Website Text/Tweet/ App on a phone Other (write in) Medical professional in person Medical professional online appointment Pamphlet or magazine article Friends or family Newspaper or magazine TV or radio news Facebook, TikTok, or other social media Church or religious leader Health Website Text/Tweet/ App on a phone Other (write in) 14 Please write 1-2 sentences about why they / you prefer these sources of health information. The teenager prefers sources like family and friends, health websites, and social media for health information due to the accessibility and interactive nature of online platforms. It’s easy to acess and saves time I prefer sources like family, health websites, and in-person consultations with medical professionals because they offer a combination of personal connection, reliable online information, and direct expert guidance, ensuring a well-rounded and trustworthy approach to health information. The senior chooses magazines, pamphlets, TV, radio, and in-person medical consultations as preferred sources of health information due to their familiarity, accessibility, and the trustworthiness associated with traditional media outlets and direct interactions with healthcare professionals.

Nina Horvath HDF 204-01 5 Seniors' Internet Use and Preferred Sources of Health Information in the US 669 Words In an era defined by the rapid advancement of technology, the Internet has become an integral part of our daily lives. While younger generations often embrace these technological changes, it's equally important to examine how seniors are adapting to the digital age. Firstly, the Pew Research Center's reports provide valuable insights into the Internet and technology usage patterns among older adults in the United States. Historically, younger adults tend to embrace technological innovations earlier than their older counterparts. While this trend continues to hold true, “the adoption of key technologies by those in the oldest age group has grown markedly since about a decade ago, and the gap between the oldest and youngest adults has narrowed.” (Michelle Faverio, 2022, para. 1). While the tech adoption is increasing, the way different age groups access health information varies considerably. Younger generations tend to rely heavily on online sources, including health websites, and social media. On the other side, Elderly individuals face significant disparities in eHealth engagement, including device ownership, and digital skills. This is why they lean toward traditional sources of health information, such as healthcare professionals, and printed materials. To address this, “healthcare providers should encourage seniors to explore eHealth resources and provide support for learning digital technologies” (Nancy P. Gordon and Mark C. Hornbrook, 2018). Unsurprisingly, my interviews underscore the different patterns of age groups regarding technology usage and health information preferences. The teenager I interviewed expressed her familiarity with technology, she uses the internet for a wide range of purposes, including schoolwork, socializing, and seeking health-related information. This approach aligns with mine. However, the elderly person I interviewed doesn’t have a smartphone and isn’t even using the Internet. These variations in Internet usage go perfectly with the results of the Pew Reports survey. According to them “48% of individuals aged 18 to 29 being online "almost constantly," compared to (only) 8% of those aged 65 and older” (Michelle Faverio, 2022, para.6). Furthermore, “many seniors remain relatively divorced from digital life” (Monica Anderson and Andrew Perrin, 2017), just like the person I interviewed. Regarding the most trustworthy sources of health information, my interviews emphasized the continued importance of healthcare professionals. Every age group prefers to seek information from authoritative figures and established outlets. Of course, teenagers, including myself, use the internet for health information, but they still place a significant amount of trust in healthcare professionals and the guidance of parents. For instance, when I am sick, I search on Google for information and call my mom for help, but ultimately, I trust the health care professionals the most. While the Internet provides a wealth of information, discerning what is reliable is a challenge. And this leads us to the pros and cons of Internet use. On the positive side, it offers unparalleled access to information. However, it can also be a source of misinformation and privacy concerns. Especially, seniors may find it challenging to differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources due to lower levels of digital literacy, or difficulty keeping up with rapid technological changes. But in my opinion, the Jnternet has become an integral part of our daily lives due to digitalization. “The Internet can be an important source of information, enhance communication with family and friends, and even help with routine tasks such as banking and shopping” (Quadagno, 2022, p. 152). Therefore, everyone

Nina Horvath HDF 204-01 6 needs to be open to changes and see the advantages that arise with technology. One perfect example is the COVID-19 pandemic. With lockdowns, the internet became essential for work, education, and virtual social interactions. This increased connectivity has highlighted the internet's versatility. In conclusion, understanding older adult’s Internet use and their preferences for sources of health information is essential as we navigate the digital age. The Internet has become a valuable tool, allowing everyone to access information and stay connected. In a world driven by technology, it is vital that we help and encourage seniors to use nowadays technologies. Bridging the digital divide to ensure that no one is left behind is crucial.

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Nina Horvath HDF 204-01 7 References -Faverio, M. (January 13, 2022). Share of those 65 and older who are tech users has grown in the past decade. Pew Research Center. Retrieved 18 November 2023, from https://www.pewresearch.org/short- reads/2022/01/13/share-of-those-65-and-older-who-are-tech-users-has-grown-in-the-past-decade/ -Perrin, M. A. and A. (2017, May 17). Tech adoption climbs among older adults. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2017/05/17/tech-adoption-climbs-among-older- adults/ - Quadagno, J. S. (2022). Aging and the life course: an introduction to social gerontology (Eighth). McGraw-Hill Education.

NinaHorvath.Older Adults and Tech Paper

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