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Older people and mobile phones: A multi-method investigation

Published: 01 December 2008 Publication History

Abstract

This paper investigates issues related to the use of mobile phones by people aged 60 years and over and characteristics of an ageing-friendly mobile phone. This study combines qualitative and quantitative analysis methods of Delphi interviews, focus group discussions, and online survey. The expert interviews and the focus group discussions covered usage patterns, problems, benefits, and desired and unwanted features. The issues raised in the discussions were translated into an online survey of 100 people. This study revealed that older people are passive users of mobile phones, that they experience fear of consequences of using unfamiliar technology, and that most preferred design features are aids for declining functional abilities. Gender differences in preferred design features were observed, with women focusing on haptic aids and men on perceptual aids.

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Academic Press, Inc.

United States

Publication History

Published: 01 December 2008

Author Tags

  1. Factor analysis
  2. Focus group
  3. Interview
  4. Mobile phone
  5. Qualitative
  6. Quantitative
  7. Survey

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  • (2023)Enhancing Older Adults’ Gesture Typing Experience Using the T9 Keyboard on Small Touchscreen DevicesProceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3544548.3581105(1-14)Online publication date: 19-Apr-2023
  • (2022)Understanding Older Adults’ Perceptions and Challenges in Using AI-enabled Everyday TechnologiesProceedings of the Tenth International Symposium of Chinese CHI10.1145/3565698.3565774(105-116)Online publication date: 22-Oct-2022
  • (2022)Daily Life of Elderly: An Approach to the Use of GerontechnologyProceedings TEEM 2022: Tenth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality10.1007/978-981-99-0942-1_52(509-515)Online publication date: 19-Oct-2022
  • (2021)Usability Barriers for Elderly Users in Smartphone App UsageScientific Programming10.1155/2021/27802572021Online publication date: 1-Jan-2021
  • (2021)Towards Building Community Collective Efficacy for Managing Digital Privacy and Security within Older Adult CommunitiesProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/34329544:CSCW3(1-27)Online publication date: 5-Jan-2021
  • (2021)Older People as Early Adopters and Their Unexpected and Innovative Use of New Technologies: Deviating from Technology Companies’ ScriptsHuman Aspects of IT for the Aged Population. Technology Design and Acceptance10.1007/978-3-030-78108-8_12(156-167)Online publication date: 24-Jul-2021
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  • (2020)Older People as Digital Newcomers: From Evidence to Intervention ProposalHuman Aspects of IT for the Aged Population. Technology and Society10.1007/978-3-030-50232-4_24(341-350)Online publication date: 19-Jul-2020
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