ArticleJMIR aging2025
Representations of Older Adults' Digital Literacy in Canadian News Media: Critical Discourse Analysis Using Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2.
Article in JMIR aging, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Trends and factors associated with cyber fraud among older adults: a decade of administrative data in Brazil.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- The impact of digital disability on the well-being of older adults: the moderating role of cultural deprivation.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: The transition of social and health services to digital platforms has significant implications for the inclusion and well-being of older adults. Digital literacy is a key determinant of health and equity, particularly as services shift to digital platforms. For older adults, this is crucial for accessing essential services and information, aiding in emergency resource navigation and information access. Objective: This study examines how Canadian news media portray older adults' digital literacy, using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) framework to guide the analysis. Methods: News media articles from Canada, published from May 4, 2023, to July 4, 2024, were analyzed. Articles were identified through database searches and manual reviews, with inclusion criteria focusing on mentions of older adults and digital literacy. Critical discourse analysis was conducted using UTAUT2 factors to interpret the media narratives. Results: Of the 103 articles reviewed, 54 met the inclusion criteria. Four key themes emerged: (1) Performance and effort expectancy: media frequently depicted older adults as needing significant help with digital technologies, indicating potential digital ageism. (2) Social influence: fearmongering narratives suggest insufficient technological skills could result in social exclusion and limited access to essential services. (3) Facilitating conditions: articles highlighted older adults' susceptibility to digital scams and fraud, reinforcing digital ageism. (4) Hedonic motivation: media portrayals emphasized active aging, illustrating how digital tools, such as home security systems, can enhance independence and quality of life. Conclusions: Many media narratives on older adults' digital literacy perpetuate digital ageism. The study highlights how negative portrayals of older adults' digital skills and their exclusion from digital spaces underscore the need for more inclusive media representations. Findings suggest that media outlets could play a crucial role in shifting to more supportive portrayals of older adults' engagement with technology. Improving media portrayals can enhance digital engagement and preparedness among aging populations, contributing to better overall quality of life.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.