The State of the Digital Divide

Chair(s)

• WB

  Walter Boot, PhD (he/him/his)

  Professor
  Psychology
  Florida State University
  Tallahassee, Florida, United States

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

• WB

  Walter Boot, PhD (he/him/his)

  Professor
  Psychology
  Florida State University
  Tallahassee, Florida, United States
• 

  Shelia Cotten, PhD (she/her/hers)

  Provost's Distinguished Professor and Associate Vice President for Research
  Sociology; Communication
  Clemson University
  Clemson, South Carolina, United States
• 

  Jane Chung, PhD, RN (she/her/hers)

  Associate Professor
  Family and Community Health Nursing
  Virginia Commonwealth University
  Richmond, Virginia, United States
• 

  Shenghao Zhang, PhD

  Postdoctoral Scholar
  Department of Psychology
  Florida State University
  Tallahassee, Florida, United States

Over the past few decades, the age-related digital divide has narrowed. For example, since the year 2000 in the United States, the percentage of older adults (65+) online has increased dramatically from 14% to 75%. However, compared to the 96% of individuals 50 to 64 years of age online, this still represents a substantial divide. Similar trends are observed in terms of social media usage and smartphone adoption, and even for older adults who own a smartphone, on average, smartphone proficiency can be substantially lower relative to younger people. This divide can put older adults at a substantial disadvantage and lock them out of the many benefits of existing and emerging technologies. This session will tackle issues surrounding the age-related digital divide. S. Cotten will provide a broad overview of the digital divide and theoretical perspectives that can help explain it. J. Chung will describe how the digital divide impacted social connectivity during the pandemic in low-income communities. S. Zhang will discuss attitudinal contributions to technology use and adoption relevant to the digital divide. Finally, W. Boot will discuss technology access and adoption and intersectionality and will discuss potential solutions to close or eliminate the gap in technology adoption and proficiency between younger and older people.

Presentations:

• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET

  Bridging the Divide: Reaching the Potential of Technology to Enhance Older Adults' Well-Being and Quality of Life
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Walter R. Boot, PhD (he/him/his) – Florida State University
• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET

  Challenging Ideas of Constant Connection and Digital Inclusion
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Shelia R. Cotten, PhD (she/her/hers) – Clemson University
• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET

  Rapid Digital Transformation Experiences for Social Connectedness Among Low-Income Older Adults
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jane Chung, PhD, RN (she/her/hers) – Virginia Commonwealth University
• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET

  Predicting Older Adults' Continued Computer Use After Initial Adoption
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Shenghao Zhang, PhD – Florida State University