We conducted a survey to document World Wide Web use patterns in middle-aged (ages 40-59), young-old (ages 60-74), and old-old adults (ages 75-92). We conducted this survey of 550 adults 40 years old and over in southeastern Michigan, and the overall response rate was approximately 71%. The results suggested that (a) there are distinct age and demographic differences in individuals who use the Web; (b) middle-aged and older Web users are similar in their use patterns; (c) the two primary predictors for not using the Web are lack of access to a computer and lack of knowledge about the Web; (d) old-old adults have the least interest in using the Web compared with middle-aged and young-old adults; and (e) the primary content areas in learning how to use the Web are learning how to use electronic mail and accessing health information and information about traveling for pleasure. This research may serve as a preliminary attempt to ascertain the issues that must be faced in order to increase use of the World Wide W eb in middle-aged and older adults. INTRODUCTION Contrary to current stereotypes, research has shown that older adults have considerable interest in computers and can readily learn how to use them (see Echt, Morrell, & Park, 1998; Kelley, Morrell, Park, & Mayhorn, 1999; Morrell, 1997; and Morrell, Park, Mayhom, & Echt, 1996, for research on general computer use). Responses to recent surveys, however, suggest that adults over the age of 65 have less experience with personal computers than do younger adults (Adler, 1995; Rogers, Cabrera, Walker, Gilbert, & Fisk, 1996; Schwartz, 1988). Although computer use is increasing among older adults, only about 5% of individuals over the age of 65 use computers at all, compared with about 45% of young adults (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1993). Moreover, those older adults who do use computers to any degree represent a select segment of older adults -- they are usually married men with high incomes and high educational achievements (Adler, 1995; Morris, 1996). Most important, only a small portion of older computer users use their machines for communication (approximately 25%) and only about 3% to 5% of current Web users are over the age of 65 (Miller, 1996). In general, the majority of current computer users and Web navigators are teenagers and young adults (Kehoe & Pitkow, 1996). Thus the majority of older adults are not on line, and research has not shown why. We conducted this study to determine if it is a training or access issue or if there are other reasons. Despite the increased use of the Web, research on this topics is somewhat scarce. A literature review found only one empirical study and one survey on Web use in older adults. Mead, Spaulding, Sit, Meyer, and Walker (1997) examined the effects of age and type of training on efficiency and preferences in a Web search activity. Their results indicated that older adults were able to complete most of the Web search tasks, but these participants performed more procedures to find the required information than did younger adults. Bow, Williamson, and Wale (1996) surveyed 120 adults over the age of 50 to determine their Internet use and how receptive they were to using the Web. Some of these participants were also observed while they were using the Web. A majority of the well-educated sample in that study had never used a computer and did not consider a computer useful in their lives. Other findings of the study suggested that if older adults could overcome mouse problems, they would be very positive and at times ent husiastic about using the Internet. There are several possible reasons that middle-aged and older adults use the Web less than do younger adults. One reason is that they might not know of the benefits of Web use and are therefore not motivated to learn how to use it. It is also possible that some of these individuals cannot afford the cost of a personal computer or have no access to a computer for Web use. …
['Roger W. Morrell', 'Christopher B. Mayhorn', 'Joan M. Bennett']
A Survey of World Wide Web Use in Middle-Aged and Older Adults