Mobile Communication and Seniors: An Exploratory Study on Their Consumption of Apps

Abstract

Smartphones have become indispensable elements of 21st-century society. However, these technological changes do not impact all groups equally, and age continues to be a clear determinant. The objective of the present work is to analyze the senior collective's level of adoption and consumption of mobile applications. After an intensive revision of the literature, the most important models and variables related to the adoption and innovation process were found. Then, a qualitative study was conducted through 5 focus groups and 11 in-depth interviews, with 53 participants between 60 and 78 years old located in Madrid. The results provide an update about the use of apps and the role of factors such as utility, user friendliness. Moreover, the results show what apps characteristics are needed for seniors to use apps and motivate faster and better integration into society and their active ageing.

Keywords:

• Mobile communication
• seniors
• mobile applications
• technology
• adoption process
• perceived usefulness
• support

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dra. Mª Jesus Merino for her help and support during this research.