Polish Seniors on the Internet: Whether These are the Golden Years in Cyberspace? Using Internet and New Technologies by Mature People

Abstract

Despite the constant increase in the number of mature users of the Internet in Poland and a growing number of programs to counteract digital exclusion, seniors still seem to stereotyped as people who do not understand the Internet, are afraid of it and do not need it. This stereotype also has an impact on the older users themselves; research shows (that) they doubt their own digital skills and educational opportunities regarding the use of computers and the Internet. This article presents an overview of the current state of knowledge on Polish seniors’ activity on the Internet. It is based on research conducted in Poland and data obtained from network users by institutions and companies. The author, who has worked with mature Internet users (on the largest and oldest Polish website for people over 50), also raises the question of how to deal effectively with digital exclusion of seniors. The article aims to encourage various groups (institutions, companies, educational institutions, government, etc.) associated with the presence of people over 50 on the Internet to recognize this group’s real needs of regarding Internet use, and to prepare programs or offer services based on seniors’ actual expectations.