Digital divide: computer and Internet use by elderly people in Hong Kong

Asian J Gerontol Geriatr 2015; 10: 5 9 Digital divide: computer and Internet use by elderly people in Hong Kong ORIGINAL ARTICLE YH Kwong BSSc ABSTRACT Background. This study aimed to explain the causes of digital divide in the elderly people in Hong Kong and to provide recommendations for improvement. Methods. Official statistics and findings from other studies on digital divide were reviewed to determine the prevalence, causes, consequences, and recommendations on this issue. Results. In 2013, the personal computer use rates were 18.4% for those aged 65 years, 99.5% for those aged 15 to 24 years, and 74.9% for the overall mean, whereas the Internet use rates were 18% for those aged 65 years, 98.2% for those aged 15 to 24 years, and 74.2% for the overall mean. In 2013, the Internet use rates for those aged 65 years were 59% in the United States, 46% in Australia, 42% in the United Kingdom, and 18% in Hong Kong. The causes of digital divide were (1) inadequate motivation, (2) physical and material access, (3) digital skills, and (4) usage. The primary reasons for not having a personal computer included not knowing how to use computers (70.4%) and no specific application (44.3%). The reasons for seniors to access the Internet were to read online news (83%) and to send or receive emails (communication) (77.4%). Thus, providing elder-friendly websites for reading news online and a mobile messaging application for communication is recommended. Digital training courses for seniors should be made elder-friendly. Conclusion. Hong Kong government adopts a digital inclusion approach towards integrating seniors in the information society. Nonetheless, digital divide among seniors remains. Key words: Computers; Hong Kong; Internet; Social distance Department of Government and Public Administration, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Correspondence to: Ying-ho Kwong, Department of Government and Public Administration, Third Floor, T. C. Cheng Building, United College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Email: yhkwong3@gmail.com INTRODUCTION Information and communication technology (ICT) improves the quality of life by enabling friends and families to keep in touch regularly and enhancing social connectivity in general. All generations should be able to access information, connect with the community services, and share their current status with relatives. 1 Frequent connection to the Internet promotes mental and physical health, especially for seniors. 2 However, the challenges of the digital divide remain. 3 The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has advocated a series of digital inclusion policies to facilitate wider usage of ICT by the elderly. Among people aged 65 years, the rates of computer and Internet use have increased, but the challenges of digital divide and the associated social exclusion remain. Digital divide is defined as the disparity between those have and have not access to ICT (computers, Internet, digital skills). 4 The gap between developing and developed countries is defined as the global 5

YH Kwong digital divide. 5 At the social level, digital divide refers to the gap between the majority and minority groups including (1) low-income residents, (2) ethnic minorities, (3) rural communities, (4) elderly, (5) the disabled, and (6) women. 6 Unequal assess to ICT may lead to exclusion in many areas of society. 7 For social networking, access to ICT is necessary to create new and maintain old social ties. For culture, lack of access may have a sense of exclusion. For politics, Internet access enables more active participation in policy decisionmaking. Those without access to ICT may find it relatively time-consuming to gather information. With respect to elderly care, access to ICT enables (1) inexpensive and efficient communication with friends and families, (2) access to updated information, (3) entertainment/leisure for retirees, and (4) online shopping, especially for elderly with impaired mobility. 8 Bridging the digital divide can reduce the sense of social isolation. 9 Frequent use of Internet may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer s disease in the long run. 10 In May 2000, the United Nations considered that the gross disparity in the spread of the Internet and thus the economic and social benefits derived from it is a matter of profound concern, 11 and thus decided to target the disparity by lending a truly global dimension to the multitude of efforts to bridge the global digital divide, foster digital opportunity and thus firmly put ICT at the service of development for all. 12 In the policy address in 1998, the Hong Kong government announced establishment of the Digital 21 IT Strategy to handle this issue of digital divide. 13 In 2001, the Digital 21 IT Strategy encouraged public participation in the information society and involved some social groups (seniors, housewives, and people with disabilities who may be digitally excluded). 14 In 2004, the government agreed to strengthen public and private sector partnership to bridge the digital divide by providing funds for community organisations to carry out inclusion activities. 15 In 2008, the government identified 6 groups: (1) the elderly, (2) new arrivals, (3) female homemakers, (4) single parents, (5) children of low-income families, and (6) disabled people for digital inclusion projects. 16 The International Institute for Management Development ranked Hong Kong first with regard to technological infrastructure in years 2012 and 2013. The broadband and mobile penetration rates in Hong Kong were 85% and 231%, respectively, which were among the highest in the world. 17 Nonetheless, the digital divide remains. This study aimed to explain the causes of digital divide in elderly people in Hong Kong and to provide recommendations for improvement. RESEARCH METHODS Six disadvantaged groups were identified for digital inclusion projects. Among them, older people are most in need of attention in Hong Kong. 18 In Hong Kong, the proportion of population aged 65 years is expected to rise rapidly from 13% in 2011 to 30% in 2041. 19 This study used official statistics from the thematic household survey reports and findings from other studies to (1) assess the ability of digital inclusion policies to help the elderly, and (2) understand the reasons for the digital divide in Hong Kong. OVERVIEW OF DIGITIAL DIVIDE IN HONG KONG Individuals aged 65 years, regardless of income or educational background, are among the least likely to be computer and Internet users. The actual percentage of seniors who have access to Internet has risen only by 1 to 2% in past years. In 2013, the personal computer use rates were 18.4% for those aged 65 years, 99.5% for those aged 15 to 24 years, and 74.9% for the overall mean (Table 1). 20 The personal computer use rates for senior men and women were 24.9% and 12.7%, respectively. In 2013, the Internet use rates were 18% for those aged 65 years, 98.2% for those aged 15 to 24 years, and 74.2% for the overall mean (Table 1). 20 The Internet use rates for senior men and women were 24% and 12.5%, respectively. In 2013, the Internet use rates for those aged 65 years were 59% in the United States, 21 46% in Australia, 22 42% in the United Kingdom, 23 and 18% in Hong Kong. Digital divide among seniors was larger in Hong Kong than in other developed countries. CAUSES OF DIGITAL DIVIDE The causes of digital divide include (1) inadequate 6

Digital Divide: Computer and Internet use by elderly people in Hong Kong Table 1 The rates of personal computer use (including desktop computer, laptop, notebook, netbook, tablet, palm top, and personal digital assistance) and Internet use in Hong Kong Year Personal computer use rate (%) Internet use rate (%) Age 15 to 24 years Age 65 years Mean Age 15 to 24 years Age 65 years Mean 2003 94.3 2.2 56.2 91.9 1.9 52.2 2004 95.8 4.0 59.5 94.0 3.0 56.4 2005 97.2 3.2 58.8 96.2 2.6 56.9 2006 98.1 5.3 62.9 97.4 4.2 60.8 2007 98.9 6.7 66.4 98.6 5.8 64.8 2008 99.2 7.8 68.2 98.8 7.0 66.7 2009 99.4 9.4 70.2 99.1 8.8 69.4 2010 - - - - - - 2011 - - - - - - 2012 99.3 13.7 72.8 99.5 13.1 72.9 2013 99.5 18.4 74.9 98.2 18.0 74.2 motivation, (2) physical and material access, (3) digital skills, and (4) usage. 24 To increase motivation to purchase a computer and use a network connection, the benefits of communication with relatives and friends around the world, convenient access to information, diversified entertainment, and facilities booking should be emphasised. 25 Material resources (household income) and social resources (a social network that inspires and helps people to access the Internet) enable material or physical access. 26 Providing computers and Internet services that are affordable to seniors may help tackle the physical and material concerns. 27 Seniors often lack confidence in their digital skills and are worried about making accidental social blunders. 2 Digital skills refer to the skills needed to operate computers and use the Internet, to search and select information, and to communicate. ICT training courses teach new digital skills in terms of media-related (operational and formal skills) and content-related skills (information, communication, content-creation, and strategic skills) to seniors. 28 These courses should be designed to be elderfriendly, easy-to-use, and applicable to daily lives. Usage of ICT is always the most difficult task to manage. 4 Repeat emphasis on the importance of Internet s popularity may deal with this issue. When Internet access behaviour becomes a habit, seniors may be reinforced to use both computers and Internet services. 29 The lack of motivation to access ICT has steadily reduced as technological diffusion rose rapidly. 30 In European and American surveys, half the population refused to connect with ICT because of (1) no need or significant usage opportunities, (2) no time or desire, (3) rejection of media, (4) lack of money, and (5) lack of skills. 4 REASONS FOR DIGITIAL DIVIDE IN HONG KONG Although ICT helps spread knowledge and information, it tends to increase inequality and has a polarising effect on class structure. 31 The Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong has conducted a survey to examine this social problem. 32 The primary reasons for Hong Kong people not having a personal computer at home were that they did not know how to use computers (70.4%) and had no specific application (44.3%) [Table 2]. Qualitative interviews were conducted to explore the reasons why seniors were not involved in computer training. The main reasons were that: (1) they considered themselves incapable of using a computer, (2) they lacked 7

YH Kwong Reason Table 2 Reasons for not having personal computer at home in Hong Kong No. (%) of households Not knowing how to use computer 338 700 (70.4) No specific application 213 200 (44.3) Can access computer at other places 56 200 (11.7) Lack of interest in using computer 30 200 (6.5) Cost too high 34 300 (7.1) Not knowing how to select suitable computer model 19 600 (4.1) Already having plan to purchase computer 7 200 (1.5) Others 6 500 (1.4) Table 3 Purposes of Internet use among seniors (n=53) Purpose Percentage (%) Reading online news 83.0 Sending/receiving emails (communication) 77.4 Social networking 26.4 Reading blogs 20.8 Online banking 13.2 Transacting/trading shares 13.2 Accessing government services and facilities booking 11.3 applications at home, (3) they were worried about disturbing others, and (4) they could not find suitable learning platforms. 33 These indicated inadequate digital skills and material access were the most critical challenges confronted by seniors. Digital skills are associated with age and education levels. 29 People with higher education level and lower age are more able to accept new digital skills. Older people often do not know English and thus cannot operate computers properly. 33 In Hong Kong, 69% of seniors have received no education or only primary education, 34 and thus it is difficult for them to use computers and Internet. Nonetheless, it is still desirable to learn digital skills for social networking with juniors, online medical appointment booking, online payments, and reading news online. Some of the elderly claimed that they feel nervous, panicked, and stressed because they cannot operate computers. 33 RECOMMMENDATIONS In a survey on Internet behaviour of seniors in Hong Kong, the reasons for seniors to access the Internet were to read online news (83%) and to send or receive emails (communication) (77.4%) [Table 3]. 35 To attract potential users, Hong Kong government developed an elder-friendly website named eelderly for seniors. As reading online news is the most attractive activity for seniors, action news with video and audio functions should be included. For communication, a mobile messaging application with video chats and voice-recording functions should be made more elder-friendly. For community-service associations, digital training courses should be increased. The tutors should understand (1) the challenges ICT poses for seniors, (2) the physical, sensory, and cognitive characteristics of seniors, (3) the motivation, needs, and wants of seniors, (4) the methods to develop appropriate courses for seniors, and (5) effective ways to interact with seniors. 2 The courses should be more elder-friendly, applicable, and accessible in order to tackle digital divide and social exclusion of seniors. 8

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