The role of the family in the use of the Internet by Portuguese aged 50 and over: a gender analysis

Abstract

The Internet has gained social importance. However, older people have been left out of the so-called “digital revolution”. Studies have focused on sociodemographic, economic, and health characteristics of these individuals as determinants of Internet use, without considering the role of family relationships. This work aims, precisely, to analyze the role of the family in Internet use, from a gender perspective with a sample of 1657 individuals aged 50 and over, interviewed in the share project. Results show a different contribution of the family to Internet use by older men and women and underline the importance of public policies in reducing gender inequalities.