Why and How do the Silver-haired Become Digital Addicted?A Phenome-nology Analysis of the Digital Experience of the Elderly
With the popularization of digital smart devices and the Internet,the issue of digital addiction among the elderly has surfaced after bridging the"access gap"and"skills gap,"thereby posing a formidable threat to their physical and mental well-being.Analyzing the underlying causes of digital addiction in this demographic is a prerequisite for addressing this problem effectively,rendering it immensely significant.The research questions are as follows:1)What is the current status of ICT device access,digital activities,and extreme situations(digital addiction)among the elderly?2)How do the elderly experience digital addiction?3)What is the essence of elderly's experience with digital addiction?4)How does digital addiction occur,and how can it be addressed?This research focuses on 28 elderly individuals in Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province,utilizing in-depth interviews to gather data on their personal experiences and intuitive feelings regarding digital addiction.The study employs a phenomenological methodology and the interpretive phenomenological analysis(IPA)method for analysis and interpretation from an elderly perspective.The research provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of ICT device usage and digital addiction among the elderly.It reveals a prevalent excessive use of ICT in this demographic,yet there is a notable lack of awareness about this behavior.The research identifies various experiences related to digital addiction from the perspective of the elderly,including high co-occurrence between individuals and ICT,addiction to the content and functions offered by ICT devices,parallels with offline addictive activities,distortion in the perception of time,potential health risks associated with excessive usage,emotional dependence on ICT devices,habitual incorporation into lifestyle patterns,and a sense of belonging within online communities or groups formed around ICT device usage habits.Additionally,the study examines aspects of transferability and inheritability aspects.The essence of"digital addiction"is reconstructed based on four dimensions:"space-time,""objects,""emotional spirit,"and"relationships."By integrating existing research and relevant theories,such as neuroscience,psychology and BOURDIEU's social practice theory,this study examines the underlying meaning,physiological mechanisms,behavioral patterns,and social mechanisms of digital addiction among the elderly.Subsequently,it explores strategies for"digital detox"specifically tailored to different situations faced by this population.This research serves as a valuable reference for addressing information practice issues and developing targeted information service strategies for the elderly.1 fig.2 tabs.86 refs.
Information practiceDigital addictionThe elderlyInterpretive phenomenologyDigital detox
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