Helping the elderly get connected
Although seniors have an increasing presence on the Internet, the elderly face certain psychological and conceptual barriers according to a report at Science Daily. A recent study urges designers to consider those barriers when developing new products:
While more older adults than ever are using cell phones and computers, a technology gap still exists that threatens to turn senior citizens into second-class citizens, according to Florida State University researchers.
Neil Charness, the William G. Chase Professor of Psychology, and Walter R. Boot, an assistant professor of psychology, found that both the attitudes and abilities of older adults pose barriers to adopting new forms of technology and urged designers to consider those barriers when developing new products.
In a story on a similar subject in the New York Times, Eric A. Taub discusses ways to help older users take advantage of the Internet:
While imagining your elderly uncle using high-tech devices to keep in touch might at first seem far-fetched, it’s only a matter of time before it is second nature. Just remember: today’s Web jockeys are tomorrow’s grandparents.
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