SURFING THE SILVER TSUNAMI: AGEING AND ICT ADOPTION IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Information and communications technology (ICT) has become ubiquitous in highlywired societies like Singapore. However, existing literature has illustrated how older adults face barriers to ICT use, leading to a digital divide between seniors and their younger counterparts. To bridge this usage gap, the Singapore government has been promoting digital inclusion among older adults. These efforts are situated within the context of Singapore’s rapidly greying population, where younger baby boomers will be reaching their retirement age in the next decade. This profound age shift has cast a spotlight on how the country can better prepare itself to surf the impending “silver tsunami”. As Singapore transits into a technology-driven society, it is necessary to dive deeper into the implications of a socio-digital divide. This study contributes to current research by providing a qualitative perspective on the relationship between ICT and seniors in Singapore. Moving beyond technological determinism, the study elucidates how individual, sociocultural and contextual factors interact to influence a senior’s attitude towards ICT. It also infuses the digital divide concept with the Diffusion of Innovations approach, to examine how adopter categories and communication channels are relevant to ICT adoption among seniors. Findings revealed that the seniors’ ICT use may be influenced by their outlook on life, communication with younger generations and internalisation of ageist stereotypes. Significant cohort differences were also observed between younger boomers and older boomers. These insights may support future ICT initiatives for seniors, while contributing to developing fields in media and communications, sociology, gerontology and public policy.