BRIDGING THE DIGITAL GAP: EFFECTS OF YOUTH'S INTERGENERATIONAL INTERACTION ON HOME-BASED IT LEARNING FOR OLDER ADULTS

Abstract

Singapore is currently transforming into a Smart Nation, but there exists a digital divide where the older adults are left behind digitally despite governmental efforts. The restrictions on social gatherings during the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the plight of these older adults, and there is hence an impending need to bridge the digital gap. As the older adults tend to be embedded within the family institution, the role of the younger generations has been acknowledged as an important alternative source of IT learning for older adults. However, there is a lack of literature on home-based intergenerational IT learning in Singapore, specifically from the youths’ perspective. Hence, this paper aims to understand how youths’ home-based intergenerational interaction can affect IT learning for older adults. Using a qualitative approach, I embarked on an exploratory study by conducting in-depth interviews with 16 Gen Z youths. From the empirical data, I identified that both frequency and quality of interaction affect ageism among the younger generations, specifically the understanding of older adults and the speech used, and in turn, affecting the learning for older adults. Four different types of learning pathways and outcomes for the older adults were then uncovered. Particularly, a lower frequency of intergenerational interaction reduces the understanding of older adults, while lower quality intergenerational interaction causes the younger generations to use patronising speech with the older adults, thus resulting in poorer IT learning outcomes for the older adults. This thesis thus serves value in understanding and designing future intergenerational policies to bridge the digital gap.