When Technologies are Not Enough: The Challenges of Digital Interventions to Address Loneliness in Later Life

B Barbosa Neves; J Waycott; A Maddox

Journal article

When Technologies are Not Enough: The Challenges of Digital Interventions to Address Loneliness in Later Life

B Barbosa Neves, J Waycott, A Maddox

Sociological Research Online | Published : 2023

DOI: 10.1177/13607804211029298

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Abstract

This article discusses sociotechnical challenges of technology-based interventions to address loneliness in later life. We bring together participatory and multidisciplinary research conducted in Canada and Australia to explore the limits of digital technologies to help tackle loneliness among frail older people (aged 65+). Drawing on three case studies, we focus on instances when technology-based interventions, such as communication apps, were limiting or failed, seeming to enhance rather than lessen loneliness. We also unpack instances where the technologies being considered did not match participants’ social needs and expectations, preventing adoption, use, and the intended outcomes. To b..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Jenny Waycott Author

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Grants

Awarded by AGE-WELL

Funding Acknowledgements

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The research reported in relation to Case 1 (Dr Neves) was supported by GRAND NCE as well as by AGE-WELL NCE Inc., both members of the Government of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence research programme. Case 2 (A/Prof. Waycott) was funded by a grant from the Australian Research Council (LP120100022). Case 3 (Dr Neves) was supported by a Monash University Research Grant. Additionally, A/Prof Waycott is supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT170100420) funded by the Australian Government.