Unlocking The Digital Doors: Exploring The Barriers To Digital Media Adoption In The Elderly Women Of India

Abstract

Digital media is now an intrinsic part of our daily lives. It's hard to find anyone who isn't reliant on it in some way or the other. This technology has not only brought the world closer together virtually but also provided a platform for self-expression and convenience. With just a click, tasks that once took hours can now be completed in moments. Navigating life's challenges has become much easier with digital tools at our fingertips. However, in India, digital literacy remains a significant hurdle, particularly among the elderly and, more specifically, elderly women. It is still rare to see women over sixty confidently using smartphones or laptops. Even among those with advanced academic qualifications, there is a noticeable gap in technological fluency. This issue transcends formal education, as many well-educated elderly women struggle with technology. Understanding what prevents them from embracing digital media is crucial for fostering greater inclusion and empowerment.

At present, there are approximately 820 million internet users in India. Unexpectedly, the internet penetration grows at the rate of around 8% year on year. Men account for 54% of internet users while in the case of women the figure is 46%. Gender divide, in this perspective has narrowed down with the passage of time but it is still quite apparent. (Roy 2024)

As far as digital inclusion is concerned, elderly community, specifically women are way behind in India. While 59% of senior women do not own smartphones, 60% have never used any digital device. The number is not just stunning, it is highly disappointing at a time when Digital India concept is gaining enormous popularity. What is more disappointing is, only 13% women believe they need to be technology savvy and feel the need for digital learning. (The Hindu Bureau, 2023)

As per the annual report of HelpAge India, the number of senior citizens in India is expected to be equal to its under eighteen population by 2050. In such a situation, digital literacy for the elderly community is of utmost importance. But the rate of it is quite disappointing. Nationally, internet adoption among the elderly population is remarkably low, with only 4% of seniors using the internet. This trend remains consistent across both Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, indicating no significant urban-rural divide in internet usage among seniors. However, a gender disparity exists: internet usage among elderly men stands at 5%, compared to just 3% among elderly women. (Ipsos Research Private Limited, 2018)

Understanding the reasons behind the gender disparity in internet use among the elderly is highly challenging. Limited research has been conducted on this issue, leaving many questions unanswered. Older adults have lived much of their lives without digital technology, making the transition to using the internet a significant hurdle. Despite these challenges, internet adoption is slowly increasing within this age group. However, a noticeable gap persists, with elderly women trailing behind their male counterparts in technology adoption. This paper aims to explore the factors contributing to why women are less likely to embrace digital technology in their senior years.