A Grand Challenge for Psychology: Reducing the Age-Related Digital Divide

Abstract

Worldwide population aging and rapid diffusion of digital technology have converged to produce an age-related digital divide in the adoption of technology, as seen in use of the Internet and ownership of smartphones. Given the centrality of these technologies for full participation in modern society, reducing that gap is an important challenge for psychologists. We outline more and less malleable factors associated with the adoption of technology and argue that interventions that can change both the aging user and the design of products will be necessary. Adaptive technology systems that incorporate artificial intelligence and extended reality are promising new approaches to reducing the age-related digital divide.