Social factors in ICT-computer use : a case study across three generations in two families

Abstract

This study focuses on intergenerational use of ICT. The Malta Communications Authority (MCA, 2010) demonstrates that 96.6% of the Maltese households have Internet connection. This research is a case study of two families and investigates ICT-computer take up by the different (three) generations in each family to generate grounded theory on which factors promote ICT use for each generation. A comparison of the different usage patterns in each family (vertical) as well as between the two families (horizontal) is made, studying contextual and social factors especially socio-economic background, age, gender, level of education and their influence on ICT-computer use. The ICT-computer users and non-users are interviewed using ethnographic interviews. The semi-structured interviews focus on biographical data, home resources, computer usage at home and outside home, family relations and computer help, future aspirations and computer interest and non-computer users. Additionally, a log of a week's use was kept by each computer user. Amongst the main findings it transpired that the participant who used the computer most on daily basis was a middle aged male, completing tertiary education and currently occupying a high status job. Moreover, children's main activities were very similar to that of their parents. One common activity performed by all adult users was that of sending e-mails. Only one grandparent uses a computer, whilst all three minors use ICTs frequently.