Information and Communication Practices: the Joint Concerns of Age and Gender in the Information Age

Objectives : To explore the extent to which gender differences appear in the choices of information and communication sources used by older men and women. Method : Data were analysed from a survey utilising questions related to older people's use of a variety of traditional and computer‐based information and communication categories. Results : Older adults are making use of a wide variety of traditional and computer‐based communication technologies. Involvement with traditional categories, such as books, newspapers, television, radio and the telephone continue. When older men and women have access to the new computer mediated activities, they make equal use of them, however men appear to be more likely to own a computer. Conclusion : In view of the late life health and social scenarios for older women, the implications of gendered life experience should be considered when encouraging older adults' involvement with computers and the Internet.