In using the Internet to solve everyday problems, older adults tend to find fewer correct answers compared to younger adults. Some authors have argued that these differences could be explained by age‐related decline. The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between web‐searching navigation and usersʼ age, considering the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and frequency of Internet and personal computer use. The intent was to identify differences due to age and not to other variables (that is, cognitive decline, expertise with the tool). Eighteen students (18–30 years) and 18 older adults (60–75 years) took part in the experiment. Inclusion criteria were the frequent use of computers and a web‐searching activity; the older adults performed the Mini‐Mental State Examination to exclude cognitive impairment. Participants were requested to perform the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test 2nd ed. to measure their IQ level, and nine everyday web‐searching tasks of differing complexity. The results showed that older participants spent more time on solving tasks than younger participants, but with the same accuracy as young people. Furthermore, nonverbal IQ improved performance in terms of time among the older participants. Age did not influence web‐searching behavior in users with normal expertise and intelligence.

中文翻译：

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网络搜索和导航：年龄、智力和熟悉度

在使用互联网解决日常问题时，与年轻人相比，老年人找到的正确答案往往更少。一些作者认为，这些差异可以用与年龄相关的下降来解释。本研究旨在分析网络搜索导航与用户年龄之间的关系，考虑到智商 (IQ) 以及互联网和个人电脑使用频率。目的是确定由于年龄而不是其他变量（即认知能力下降、该工具的专业知识）引起的差异。18 名学生（18-30 岁）和 18 名老年人（60-75 岁）参加了实验。纳入标准是经常使用计算机和网络搜索活动；老年人进行简易精神状态检查以排除认知障碍。参与者被要求进行考夫曼简短智力测试第二版。测量他们的智商水平，以及九个不同复杂度的日常网络搜索任务。结果表明，年长的参与者比年轻的参与者在解决任务上花费的时间更多，但准确性与年轻人相同。此外，非语言智商提高了老年参与者的时间表现。年龄不会影响具有正常专业知识和智力的用户的网络搜索行为。非语言智商提高了老年参与者在时间方面的表现。年龄不会影响具有正常专业知识和智力的用户的网络搜索行为。非语言智商提高了老年参与者在时间方面的表现。年龄不会影响具有正常专业知识和智力的用户的网络搜索行为。