Silver surfers: Training and evaluating internet use among older adult learners

TLDR

A 4‑month program of weekly mentor‑guided sessions taught 292 older adults (average age 80) to browse the Internet. Those who learned to surf the Internet reported more positive attitudes toward aging, higher perceived social support and connectivity, and spent more time online when computer efficacy was high, anxiety low, and attitudes positive, and the program significantly reduced computer anxiety and increased perceived social support and connectivity.

Abstract

Two hundred ninety‐two older adult learners (averaging 80 years of age) were recruited from assisted and independent living facilities to learn about computer technologies and surf the Internet. A training program designed for adult learners involved weekly meetings with a mentor who helped individuals visit sites of their own choosing. Those who learned to surf the Internet had more positive attitudes toward aging, higher levels of perceived social support, and higher levels of connectivity. Surfers spent more time on‐line when computer efficacy was high, computer anxiety low, and attitudes toward aging were positive. Participation in the 4‐month program was associated with significantly reduced computer anxiety and increased ratings of perceived social support and connectivity.