Research Information System
21st Annual International Conference on Communication and Mass Media, Athens, Greece, 8 - 11 May 2023, pp.1-19
Digital inclusion includes activities necessary to ensure fair access and use of
information and communication technologies for participation in social and
economic life. Three basic requirements are required for this; computer,
internet access and, the ability to use internet tools. The main aim of
government-based digital inclusion programs should be to increase the
education of individuals and the level of “computer literacy” of society. During
the COVID-19 pandemic especially individuals over the age of 65 have been
forced to lead a restrictive life in Turkey. With the lack of socialization, elderly
people have developed a much faster connection with digital technologies.
However, with aging, a slowdown is observed in the information processing
speed. They need to make more cognitive efforts to learn new information
which created the concept of digital inequality based on age. The aim of this
study is to determine the digital behavior levels of elderly people having
different socio-economic levels in Turkey, based on the uses and gratifications
theory. As a qualitative method, the reports published by TÜİK (Turkish
Statistical Institute) and TİHEK (Human Rights and Equality Institution of
Turkey) will be evaluated with a descriptive content analysis according to the
uses and gratifications theory