Talk
The inter(intra)generational use of ICTs among grandmothers: a field study in Italy, Romania, Spain and Israel
Simone Carlo (Carlo, S. ); Catarina Rebelo (Rebelo, C.);
Event Title
14th European Sociological Association
Year (definitive publication)
2019
Language
English
Country
United Kingdom
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Abstract
Our research aims to investigate the role played by media and ICTs in building intergenerational and intragenerational relations for the grandmothers (Colombo et al, 2016). The project aims to understand how grandmothers use Facebook and digital devices (computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones) within the family and the friend networks, the role of communication technologies for entertainment and the resistance and difficulties in using ICTs for elderly. Starting from the theoretical framework of mediatization (Couldry - Hepp, 2013), the research specifically investigates: - the possible relationships in place between the grandmothers, children and nephew, with the aim of understanding the dynamics of intergenerational exchange, and how grandmothers experience the use of Internet as a tool to facilitate family communication with family members. - the possible relationships in place between the grandmothers and their friends with the aim of understanding the dynamics of intragenerational exchange, and how grandmothers experience the use of Internet as a tool of communication and entertainment and for leisure activities with friends. - if different cultural and national contexts produce different uses of digital media in everyday life of elderly. Data for research analysis was collected through 15 focus groups conducted with 96 grandmothers living in Italy, Romania, Spain and Israel. Our focus groups (4 in Italy, 3 in Romania, 5 in Spain, 3 in Israel) show an intricate scenario: although the trigger to start to use new digital technology comes from family and people belonging to different generations, the daily use of the ICTs reveals a complex relationship with children and grandchildren regarding technological issues, which often characterized by incompatible netiquette, different competences and lack of learning assistance.
Acknowledgements
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Keywords
  • Media and Communications - Social Sciences