ABSTRACT

As the use of digital technology becomes more widespread across the globe, older people remain among the group with the lowest access and usage. The digital divide may lead to double exclusion as the COVID-19 pandemic has led to limited physical social contact as experts’ recommendation of continuous social distancing and lack of access and usage of internet communication will leave older people socially isolated. The aim of this study is to explore how older people in rural Nigeria may be digitally excluded and its impact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative data was obtained from 11 older people using interviews. The collected data was then transcribed and analyzed thematically. Findings show that older people in rural Nigeria were digitally excluded. However, the older people argued that the digital exclusion is not the reason for their social isolation and loneliness. The study concluded by suggesting how caregivers and social workers can assist rural older people through activity schedule and radio programs designed for older people.

摘要

随着数字技术的使用在全球范围内变得越来越普遍，老年人仍然是访问和使用率最低的群体。数字鸿沟可能导致双重排斥，因为 COVID-19 大流行导致身体社交接触有限，因为专家建议持续保持社交距离以及缺乏互联网通信的访问和使用将使老年人与社会隔离。本研究的目的是探讨在 COVID-19 大流行期间尼日利亚农村的老年人如何被数字化排除及其影响。定性数据是通过访谈从 11 位老年人那里获得的。然后将收集的数据转录并进行专题分析。调查结果表明，尼日利亚农村的老年人被数字排除在外。然而，老年人认为，数字排斥并不是他们社会孤立和孤独的原因。该研究最后提出了护理人员和社会工作者如何通过为老年人设计的活动时间表和广播节目来帮助农村老年人。