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The debate about the adoption and use of technology by older people seems a little out of touch with reality. Either, we're told – older people (and let's forget for a minute questions of definition) don't like, can't use and dismiss technology (again, it's left ill-defined what is meant by this all-encompassing category). Or, on the other we're told that they're huge fans and rampant online addicts, beavering away on Facebook, surfing the web and Skyping their friends.
As it so often the case, of course, a more accurate picture lies somewhere in the middle. There are huge diversities in attitudes and usages. But, a complex picture is often less easy to make compelling than big headline grabbing statements or numbers.
The good people at the ILC-UK have today put out a small 'report' / 'think-piece' in which I try to grapple with some of the myths, half-truths and assertions about older people (and explore the problems with this broad categorization of a large cohort of people) and technology.
It's entitled "The Fictions, Facts and Future of Older People and Technology" and you can download it from their website.
I'd like to think that it's a data driven attempt to help shape the debate and make a small contribution to restoring some balance, and less hype, to discussion about how older people engage with technology.
I hope you enjoy it / find it useful.