k 2025

Three Ways to Understand "Digital Good": Policies, Actors and Lived Experiences

VIDOVIĆOVÁ, Lucie

Základní údaje

Originální název

Three Ways to Understand "Digital Good": Policies, Actors and Lived Experiences

Název anglicky

Three Ways to Understand "Digital Good": Policies, Actors and Lived Experiences

Vydání

5. International Sociological Association ISA Forum of Sociology, 6- 11.7.2025, Rabat, Moroco, 2025

Další údaje

Jazyk

čeština

Typ výsledku

Prezentace na konferencích

Obor

50401 Sociology

Stát vydavatele

Česká republika

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Odkazy

Označené pro přenos do RIV

Ano

Organizační jednotka

Fakulta sociálních studií

Klíčová slova česky

digitalizace; senioři; aktérství; politiky

Klíčová slova anglicky

digitalisation; older people; actors; policies
Změněno: 23. 11. 2025 15:24, Mgr. Lucie Vidovićová, Ph.D.

Anotace

V originále

Digitalisation is widely regarded as a transformative force in contemporary and future societies, with both international and national policy discourses emphasizing its significance. Older adults are often perceived as lagging in this digital shift, facing barriers related to education, skills, and access, which contribute to a widening digital divide and subsequent social exclusion. This paper employs a multisource inquiry to challenge this perspective by examining older adults’ own views on quality of life and satisfaction with their lifestyles, even when "offline" or "disconnected." We analyze policy discourse from international and national sources alongside findings from academic literature, juxtaposing these with insights gained from in-depth interviews with older adults. Special attention is given to the time dynamics before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis critically interrogates the prevailing assumption that increased digitalisation is inherently positive and that limited use of digital technologies undermines the quality of life for older (non-)users. We contend that concepts such as the digital gap and digital divide serve primarily as policy tools that obscure the complexities of lived experiences. Their uncritical adoption in socio-gerontological research fails to enhance our understanding of digitalisation's effects on older adults. The ongoing focus on measuring digital competencies across different demographics, in light of rapid technological changes, can perpetuate oppressive narratives of individual shortcomings while masking systemic ageism. This paper advocates for a shift away from simplistic monitoring frameworks towards a nuanced examination of the diverse realities of older adults' (non-)digitalized lives. The study was funded by the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR), project No. 22-05059L and by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS), project No. J5-4580 „Effect of digitalisation in (post)COVID-19 era on quality of life, and social inclusion of older adults“ (DIGOLD).

Anglicky

Digitalisation is widely regarded as a transformative force in contemporary and future societies, with both international and national policy discourses emphasizing its significance. Older adults are often perceived as lagging in this digital shift, facing barriers related to education, skills, and access, which contribute to a widening digital divide and subsequent social exclusion. This paper employs a multisource inquiry to challenge this perspective by examining older adults’ own views on quality of life and satisfaction with their lifestyles, even when "offline" or "disconnected." We analyze policy discourse from international and national sources alongside findings from academic literature, juxtaposing these with insights gained from in-depth interviews with older adults. Special attention is given to the time dynamics before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis critically interrogates the prevailing assumption that increased digitalisation is inherently positive and that limited use of digital technologies undermines the quality of life for older (non-)users. We contend that concepts such as the digital gap and digital divide serve primarily as policy tools that obscure the complexities of lived experiences. Their uncritical adoption in socio-gerontological research fails to enhance our understanding of digitalisation's effects on older adults. The ongoing focus on measuring digital competencies across different demographics, in light of rapid technological changes, can perpetuate oppressive narratives of individual shortcomings while masking systemic ageism. This paper advocates for a shift away from simplistic monitoring frameworks towards a nuanced examination of the diverse realities of older adults' (non-)digitalized lives. The study was funded by the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR), project No. 22-05059L and by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS), project No. J5-4580 „Effect of digitalisation in (post)COVID-19 era on quality of life, and social inclusion of older adults“ (DIGOLD).

Návaznosti

GF23-05059L, projekt VaV
Název: Vliv digitalizace na kvalitu života a sociální začlenění starších dospělých v době (po) COVIDu-19 (DIGOLD)
Investor: Grantová agentura ČR, Vliv digitalizace na kvalitu života a sociální začlenění starších dospělých v době (po) COVIDu-19 (DIGOLD), Partnerská agentura (Slovinsko)