CHAPTER 1

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The new medium is the convergence of all mediums. One can access print

medium as well as an electronic medium by using this medium. That mean one can

get the message of many mediums by using only this medium. In this age new media

have given the new dimension for all.

Bruce Owens in his book named “The internet challenge to television (1999)”

made a prophecy of convergence that through digitization, the internet will be all, and

television, telephone, and computers will converge on the internet.

Jenkins in his book named “Convergence culture” stated that the

interoperability of new media provides much more active participation in media. He

argues that whereas old consumers of media were more isolated , new consumers of

convergent media are more socially connected because they can upload their own

content and choose from a much wider array of fragmented information, including

being able to choose between corporate media and grassroots media.(Holmes, David.

New media theory, Sage publication, 2009, p 685-689)

Marshall McLuhan, inventor of the term “media” stated, “Medium is the

message” and if any person get the right medium then the person will easily absorb

the information with a little time. He also gave the concept of “Global village” more

than thirty years ago before the invention of World Wide Web. For McLuhan, the digital

revolution produced classrooms without walls as telecommunications and television

brought a simultaneous information structure to electronic society (McLuhan. Marshal,

Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man).

This medium is much cheaper and has greater reaching ability than others

have. In the rural area reaching of newspaper is quiet impossible but reaching of

mobile phones is quiet possible.

The proliferation of mobile phones in India seems to be bridging the digital

divide by connecting millions of people. The number of people who own mobile phones

is greater than the number who own personal computers. This reinforces the belief

that the mobile handsets could have the single most important role in bridging internet

access to unconnected population (A study by KPMG-IAMAI, July 2015).

It is unfortunate that seniors are quite unfamiliar with this medium. In many

cases they are using mobile but not for accessing internet. In the most cases they just

know how to pick and how to cut the call.

In this age most of the houses have the computers and internet connections

but the seniors of those houses have no interest to use this medium. They think they

are too much older and tend to end their life, what will happen by learning these new

things. They never think this medium is accessible from inside the home; computers

and the Internet have enormous potential to benefit the lives of older people. Services

such as e-mail, banking, discussion lists, general interest websites and creative

computer applications can facilitate in the learning and socialising of this age group

and can help older adults to preserve their independence.

Former researcher said seniors are not using the new medium because of their

age, literacy; lack of device etc., a fear factor is existing within their mind.

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 The Government of India also trying to decrease the gap which creates digital

divide by giving infrastructure, devices, training like Bhoomi project, Life line India,

Grameen sanchar sevak, Gyandoot project, Friend’s project, the card and e-Seva

project on the other hand Digital library project viz. National Science Digital Library

(NSDL), Vidya Vahini, Dgital Mobile Libraries and library networks and Community

Information Centres.

1.1.1 Digital literacy:

It means basic comfort and competence in using computers, smart phones,

electronic tablets, and other web-accessible devices. Digital literacy is a new literacy,

and it is a blend of several sub-literacies. These are computer literacy, network

literacy, information literacy and social media literacy.

1.1.2 Digital exclusion:

Before the late 20th century the digital exclusion or digital divide refers to the

gap between those with and without telephone access; after the late 1990s the term

began to be used mainly to describe the split between those with and without Internet

access.

The digital divide is still very much a reality of today. This divide typically exists

between those in cities and those in rural areas, between the educated and the

uneducated, between socioeconomic groups, between the more and less industrially

developed nations. Even among populations with some access to technology, the

digital divide can be evident in the form of lower-performance computers, lower-speed

wireless connections, lower-priced connections etc.

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1.1.3 Internet:

The Internet is a network of networks, used to send information quickly between

computers around the world. It is use for transforming many things, such as electronic

mail, online chat, file transfer, and the interlinked web pages and other documents.

Government of China think internet is very bad thing so they do not use internet

in a wide range. Govt. of North Korea and Myanmar fully blocked the entire internet

system. Some parents also think it is bad for their children.

They never think the password option is available in internet though there is

hacker but privacy breaks due to the unconsciousness of the users.

The internet began to start in the United States by the United States

Department of “Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency" (DARPA). First

connected in October, 1969. The World Wide Web(WWW) was created at CERN in

Switzerland in 1990 by a British man named Tim Berners-Lee.

1.1.4 Senior citizens:

When a woman and a man reach 58 years and 60 years respectively then they

considered as a senior citizen in India and they get the concession of 50% and 40%

respectively in railway basic fare.

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1.1.5 Bolpur Town:

Bolpur-Santiniketan is a municipality and subdivision head quarter in Birbhum

District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is 145 km north of Kolkata and is best

known for its proximity to Visva Bharati.

Bolpur Municipality has a total population of 80,210 out of which 40,468 are

male and 39,742 are female. Literacy rate of Bolpur is 86.77%.

(http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/A-3_Vill/A-3%20MDDS_Release.xls)

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:

In the age of New Media people can do their work (like banking, electric bill,

shopping, ticket booking etc.) by the help of internet but researcher noticed seniors

are depending on others.

For instance a senior person giving the electric bill by standing on line and this

staff of electric office giving that person’s electric bill using the websites, mean to say

the seniors can also pay the bill from their home, for that need an online bank account

and the website name.

She also noticed that they have the chance to use digital devices that mean in

their house minimum one person is connected with the new media. They are quiet

educated, want to mean as they are seniors so more experienced in other works also

but they have no interest in new media sector.

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 Seniors have the need of this medium because due to their age they are alone

in the sense children of them are busy with their own work and have no time to give

their old parents.

Researcher firstly noticed on few among of her known people but want to know

the entire seniors’ behaviour towards internet use in the entire town.

1.3 RATIONALE:

At the time of problem identification researcher observe few seniors behaviour

toward internet, then talk with the seniors in informal discussion. After that she

assumed a frame to find the way out for conducting this study.

At the time of informal discussion, researcher knew that most of the seniors are

not taking the benefit of new media. For that reason researcher specifically

concentrated on why the seniors are unable to use internet and from this point of view

make the survey questions to collect data for the final study.

` Earlier researchers focused on seniors have apprehensions towards internet

and found out the reason of such discomfort like age, income, literacy, infrastructure

etc., but the researcher belief that if the seniors are not using this medium there may

be another reasons too.

So this research will seek to understand there is any another reason for which

seniors are not using internet though they do not have any problem of access, control

and reach to use Internet yet they are not using this medium, thereby, pointing at the

reasons behind the resulting digital divide.

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1.4 OBJECTIVES:

1) To find the status of digital praxis among the older generation in Bolpur.

2) Reason of such praxis.

1.5 AIM:

Specifically researcher wishes to find out “why seniors are not friendly towards

internet in Bolpur”

1.6 SOCIAL NEEDS FOR THE STUDY:

Knowing digital praxis of seniors would help in framing policy for their exposure

to new media. Further this study may give an impact on old generation. When

researcher collected data from the respondent that time she said so many things about

the strength of the new media.

She could partially make them understand that they also have the need of this

new medium. Few seniors also replied that if anyone trained them they are prepared

to learn about new media.

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1.7 Theoretical Approach:

This research is on “Uses and gratification theory”. The theory applied to

examine the behaviour of seniors towards internet. A good deal of research in mass

communication and the mass media has come from scholars with a social

psychological orientation who have focused on the effects the media have on people

and have investigated the role of the media in attitude formation, attitude change and

so on (Berger, 1955, P 99).

The term “gratifications” refers to the rewards and satisfaction experienced by

audiences after use of media, it helps to explain motivations behind the use and habits

of media use or the actual needs satisfaction by the media called media gratification

(Gupta & Aggarwal, 2002, P 38).

1.7.1 Uses and gratification theory vs Hypodermic needle theory:

The uses and gratification theory is a new approach to understanding mass

communication. The theory focuses on the audience. It tells ‘What people do with the

media’ rather than ‘what do the media do to people?’

It states that members of the audience are not passive but they do actually

take an active role in interpreting the media into their own lives.

The Hypodermic needle theory implies that the mass media has a direct and

immediate effect on the audience. The mass media in the 40’s and 50’s perceived as

a powerful influence on the change in behaviour of people.

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 The theory suggests that the media could influence a very large group of people

directly by ‘injecting’ them with appropriate messages. The model suggests that the

media is a dangerous means of communication because the audience is powerless to

resist the urge and impact of the message. People are seen as passive and believe

what the media tells them because that time there was no other source of information.

Uses and gratification theory has challenged the Magic bullet or Hypodermic

needle Theory. It is assumed that the uses approach about the audience being active

and readily exposes themselves to media and the effectiveness of mass media

content cannot manipulate a person who has “no use “ for it in the concern

environment in which he lives (Rai , 2016 , P 22) .

This research is under Uses and gratification theory because seniors have the

need of new media but how many of them using this medium to fulfil their needs that

must be explored by the researcher using this theory.

1.8 PERIOD OF THE STUDY:

The period of the study was about six to seven months. Researcher faced so

many problems and learned so many things within this period.

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 CHAPTER 2

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

For any kind of research literature review plays an important role. By reviewing
the older works researcher get the idea how to go ahead. The main purpose of this

review is to find out the gap of the previous works and to make researcher’s mind clear

by giving the right direction.

 Sylvia E. Peacock and Harald.Künemund (2007) summarized literature on

“Senior citizens and Internet technology”, claiming Existing socioeconomic

inequalities regarding Internet access crystallise within the older population,

particularly in the Southern regions of Europe. A claim made a necessity to

maintain efforts to close the digital age gap. European Journal of Ageing,

Volume 4, Issue 4, p 191-200.

 A research study was conducted by C. W. Phang ; Nat. Univ. of Singapore ; J.

Sutanto ; A. Kankanhalli ; Y. Li in 2006 on “Senior Citizens' Acceptance of

Information Systems: A Study in the Context of e-Government Services”,

claiming that this study contributes by providing an integrative model of

information systems acceptance among the aged. Their findings reveal that

consistent with previous technology senior citizens' use intention is driven by

their perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the service. IEEE

Transactions on Engineering Management, Volume 53, Issue 4, p 555-569.

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 Biplab Loha Choudhury, Kapil Kumar Bhattacharyya, Archan Mitra (2015) in

“Three-tier new media literacy for realizing full communication potential

in information society”. (2015), stated with the emergence of new media,

languages are no longer limited to speech or writing, man first learn to

communicate through signs and symbols. Now that the age of mass media is

being slowly replaced by the new media forms, signs and symbols are again

making their presence hugely. ISBN: 978-93-84898-81-6

 A study published on Sage journals (2005) on “IT and Senior Citizens: Using

the Internet for Empowering Active Citizenship” where stated how information

technology, can be applied to construct empowerment properties and enable

“active citizenship” for seniors. Science, Technology & Human Values,

volume30, p 468-495.

 Jacqueline K. Eastman, Rajesh Iyer, (2004) in "The elderly's uses and attitudes

towards the Internet" stated that this study shows that the elderly consumers

have favourable intentions towards using the Internet; most learned to use the

Internet on their own; and they preferred to learn more about the Internet if any

classes were offered at convenient locations. Those seniors with higher levels

of income are more willing to both use the Internet and purchase products

online.Journal of Consumer Marketing, Vol. 21, p 208 – 220.

 William e. Loges and joo-young jung (2001) in an article named “Exploring the

Digital Divide, Internet Connectedness and Age” published on Sage journals.

They explained that this study adds context to the understanding of the digital

divide by demonstrating differences in Internet connectedness, a

multidimensional concept that includes consideration of the scope and intensity

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 of the relationship that people develop with the Internet. Age is shown to be

significantly associated not just with access, but with a tendency to pursue a

more narrow range of personal goals online and with a pattern of connecting to

the Internet from a smaller range of places. Nonetheless, older respondents

evaluate the Internet to be as central to their lives as younger people do.

Communication Research, vol. 28, issue 4, p 536-562.

 A research study by Jacqueline K. Eastman and Rajesh Iyer in 2005 on “The

impact of cognitive age on Internet use of the elderly. In This paper the

researchers discusses the impact of cognitive age of American elderly

consumers on their Internet use. The results suggest that those seniors with a

younger cognitive age use the Internet more than those seniors with an older

cognitive age. International Journal of Consumer Studies, Volume 29, Issue 2,

p 125–136.

 “15% of American Don’t Use The Internet. Who Are They?” by Pew Research

Centre, USA from 2000-2015. Where they explain, “internet non-adoption is

correlated to a number of demographic variables, including age, educational

attainment, household income, race and ethnicity, and community type.”

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 Chapter 3

3.1 Methodology of Research

Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem.

Researcher can say that research methodology has many dimensions and research

methods do constitute a part of the research methodology (C R Kothari, p 7). For this

study the different dimensions of research methodologies are -

3.1.1 Type of Research:

This is a qualitative research because through this research researcher got idea

about the internet accessing behaviour of senior citizens of Bolpur town, are they really

accessing internet or not? And reason behind these behaviour.

From the viewpoint of application this project work is a pure or basic research because

this research is concerned with quest for knowledge and knowing more about the

phenomena without concern for its practical use.

3.1.2 Time Dimension:

The time dimension of a research can either be longitudinal or cross-sectional.

Longitudinal research is used when data is collected at different stages over time.

Cross-sectional research covers a broad range of phenomena at a single point in time

(Ahuja Ram, p 40) This is not a longitudinal research, a cross-sectional research

because the data is gathered once off during a short period.

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3.1.3 Universe:

Bolpur town of Birbhum district selected for the entire study. The reason behind

the selecting of this town is that the researcher is familiar to the location and local

language, which is spoken by the majority.

3.1.4 Population:

Population refers to all those people with the characteristics that the researcher

wants to study within the context of a particular research problem.

This Project is concentrated on Bolpur town’s Senior citizens. So senior citizens are

the population for this study. 12000 senior citizens are present in Bolpur town

according 2011 census report.

3.1.5 Sample Design:

A sample is a portion of people drawn from a larger population. It will be

representative of the population only if it has same basic characteristics of the

population from which it is drawn (Ahuja Ram, 2014, p 155).

A large population cannot be studied in its entirety for reasons of size, time, cost or

inaccessibility. Limited time, lack of large amount of funds, and population scattered

in a very wide geographical area often make sampling necessary (Ram Ahuja, 2014,

p 157).

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 For this research a stratified purposive sampling method was selected and

respondents were chosen disproportionately depending upon the suitability and

requirement. The respondents were chosen from different wards of Bolpur town to

make the sample representative.

100 samples were taken for this project because period was too short. To reach

95% of confidence level researcher had to collect 370 samples which was not possible

for this study. However she will continue to collect another 270 samples after the

completion of Master of Arts exam.

For the choosing of this sample researcher have to purposely select person

who will fulfil researcher’s criteria. The following criteria are required for respondents

to be included in the study: The person should be the resident of Bolpur, age of above

60, able to signature.

3.1.6 Research method:

In communication domain various research methods are used. These are

census method, Survey method, Observation method. For this research researcher

used survey method to collect data by using open and close ended questions. To get

the maximum response researcher firstly met with the individual respondent by door

to door knocking then explain about the research topic and collected data by

interpersonal discussion and lastly shown the entire question paper and request for

signature.

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3.1.7 Questionnaire Construction:

Researcher structured the questions by the help of her guide. She collected

data by the interpersonal discussion with respondent and at the last she gave question

paper to respondent to check and signature. The questionnaire consists of two types

of question pattern one was close ended type questions and another was open ended

type questions. In the question paper there was 11 questions.

3.1.8 Tools for data collection:

The question schedules were used for collecting primary data. The questions

were mostly close ended except few open ended questions. In order to achieve

answers to the objectives of the study, the following research questions have been

prepared:

RQ1. Which machineries are present in your home?

RQ2. Which internet connection you use in your computer/laptop/smartphone?

RQ3. Are you done work (like sending email, shopping, banking, searching information

etc.,) in internet from home ? If “Yes” then write

- What type of works you done in internet?

- How long you access internet per day?

- Are you learned use of internet by own or by the help of others?

- How much you have to expend to do internet per month?

- How many years are you accessing internet?

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RQ4. Are you practicing internet outside the home?

RQ5. If yes then from where are you using it?

RQ6. Why are you use internet? (Specifically for those who are accessing internet)

RQ7. According to you why the other seniors are not using internet? (Specifically for

those who are accessing internet)

RQ8. How many members from your family accessing internet? Which device and

internet connection they are using to do internet?

RQ9. Why are you not using internet? (Specifically for those who are not accessing

internet)

RQ10. With which condition you will access internet? (Specifically for those who are

not accessing internet, nevertheless to give the answer for this question is not

mandatory)

RQ11.Are you aware about the internet services from home?

3.1.9 Measuring Instrument:

Questionnaire was designed to collect information pertaining to the objectives

of the study. In case of close ended questions, respondent select an answer from the

list provided by the researcher. These questions are popular because they provide

greater uniformity in responses and the answers are easy to quantify (Wimmer and

Dominick, 2006, p 150). Hence, major close-ended questions have been framed in

order to understand the views of the seniors about internet. Without a doubt, the best

way to discover whether, the best way to discover whether a research instrument
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adequately designed is to pre-test it, that is to conduct a small survey with a small

sample to determine whether the study approach was correct and to help refine the

questions (Wimmer and Dominick, 2012, p 161). Therefore the researcher conducted

a pilot survey on 10 potential respondents prior to final survey so as to make out

whether the respondents understand the questions. After the pilot study the researcher

more concentrated on the objectives of this study.

3.1.9.1 Measures:

3.1.9.1.1 Variables:

A variable is a characteristic that takes on two or more value. It is something

that varies.

3.1.9.1.2 Independent and Dependent variable-

Independent variables- (Presumed causes) Unwillingness, Age, fear, Lack of

devices.

Dependent variables- (Presumed effect) Major seniors are not using internet

3.1.9.1.3 Intervening variable-

It is one that comes between the independent and dependent variables and

opposes the relationship between them.

In generally seniors due to the age they are not using internet but it also be possible

they are not using internet not only for their age but also for they are not taking help

from others, they have no personal device, they have no required money.

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These variables are comes between the independent and dependent variables and

break the relationship between them. These variables (Training, devices, and money)

are intervening variables.

3.1.9.1.4 Moderator variables-

Number of family member users.

3.1.9.1.5 Control variables-

Respondent’s physical condition.

3.1.9.1.6 Quantitative variable and Qualitative variable-

The quantitative variable is one whose values or categories consists of

numbers and if differences between its categories can be expressed numerically.

The qualitative variable is one, which consists of discreet categories rather than

numerical units. (Ahuja Ram, 2014, P 4)

Quantitative variables of this Qualitative variables of this

Research(of the respondents) Research(of the respondents)
Age Gender(M/F)
Income Occupation(Good/Bad)
No. of machinery of a respondent’s Educational qualification(Good/Bad)
house
Type of work in internet Practice of internet(yes/no)
Dongle connection Internet connection(Broadband/dongle)
Duration of practice Work Practice of Internet(In home/
Outside home)
Expense Behaviour towards internet(+ve/-ve)
No. of family member users Aware about internet services(Yes/no)
- Learning Process(By own/By the help of
other)
- Reason of use and not use of internet

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3.1.10 Sources of data collection:

Primary data collected by interviewing the respondents using structured

scheduled question. The secondary data collected through available records,

abstracts from various journals of websites, from books etc.

3.1.11 Limitation:

Firstly, researcher has used only one theoretical approach i.e., Uses and

Gratification theory to portray the findings. So, if any one use another theory to study

in future then it cannot be able to give same result.

Secondly, respondent’s physical condition was a barrier for this study, she

cannot attain them who are physically not well. Researcher has not attain any

respondent above the age of 85.

Lastly, through this research simple random sample collection was not possible

because in every house seniors are not present so researcher cannot mark any

standard to collect sample. It was also a barrier for this research.

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 CHAPTER 4

4.1 Data Presentation

TOTAL NO OF RESPONDENTS (N) = 370

TABLE NO 1: AGE OF THE RESPONDENTS

AGE NUMBERS AGE OF RESPONDENT

60-70 211
9%

60-70
34%
70-80 127 57%
70-80
>80

>80 32

Researcher collected 211 numbers of seniors from 60-70 age group, 127 numbers of

seniors from 70-80 age group, and above 80 collected 32 numbers of seniors. So

researcher can say no. of collected sample is inversely proportional with the age of

the respondents and above 85 researcher cannot get the chance to attain sample due

to their physical condition. Researcher’s own perception seniors are not too much

older until they reach the age of 80 in Bolpur town if they want they can learn.

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 TABLE NO 2: EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF THE RESPONDENTS

QUALIFICATION NUMBERS QUALIFICATION OF

RESPONDENTS
BELOW SF 109
SF 51 BELOW SF
6%
10%
HS 26 29% SF
HS
GRADUATION 125 34%
14% GRADUATION
MA 37 7%
MA
OTHERS 22 OTHERS

SF, HS, MA stands for School final, higher secondary, Master of Arts respectively.

Among 370 respondents only 29% is from below school final and other 71% is from

above school final so they are educate enough to surf internet. To surf internet a

maximum level of education is not require because internet surfing is a technique if

any one practice day by day then that person will be a better internet user.

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 TABLE NO 3: SEX OF THE RESPONDENTS

SEX NUMBERS
SEX OF RESPONDENT
MALE 193
FEMALE 177
48% 52% MALE
FEMALE

As per the researcher’s way of sample collection she meets with 193 numbers of

male person and 177 numbers of female person and collected data from them.

Researcher try to collect more female respondents because, maximum males are

aware about the surroundings beyond home but women spend their life in the four

walls of house. If they understand the mystery of new media then they will also be

capable to know about the entire world from home.

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 TABLE NO 4: OCCUPATION OF THE RESPONDENTS

OCCUPATION NUMBERS OCCUPATION OF

SERVICEMAN* 30 RESPONDENTS
BUSINESSMAN 48
HOUSEWIFE 143 8%
13% SERVICEMAN*
40%
BUSINESSMAN
RETIRED* 149
39% HOUSEWIFE
RETIRED*

From the table no 4 we can see among the 370 respondents 39% is housewife and

the others are businessman, serviceman or retired personnel from any govt. or non

govt. offices.

“*” stands for govt. and non govt. employee.

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 TABLE 5: MONTHLY INCOME OF THE RESPONDENTS

INCOME NUMBER
INCOME OF
UPTO 5000 207 RESPONDENTS
5000-10000 52
10000-15000 37 20%
UPTO 5000
ABOVE 15000 74 10% 56% 5000-10000
14% 10000-15000
ABOVE 15000

We can see from the above table 56% of respondent’s income per month within RS

5000 and 34% respondents have monthly income above RS 5000. So economy may

be a reason behind the uneasiness of using of new media.

But a respondent said he has monthly income RS 2500(pension) and he is randomly

using internet. He spends minimum RS 250 and maximum RS 500 in internet per

month. He also said, “Internet is a friend of mine due to lack of money when I cannot

recharge my MTS dongle that time I felt boring”.

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TABLE NO 6: DEVICES AVAILABLE IN THE RESPONDENT’S HOME

DEVICE PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE

120
NET CONNECTION 100
52
POSSIBLE DEVICES 80
60
100
MASS MEDIUM 40
52
AND SIMPLE 100 20 33
MOBILE PHONE 0

LAND PHONE AND

ENTERTAINMENT 33
MEDIUM

Respondents have many devices in their home. In every house has television and

mobile phone. The entertainment medium and land phone is quiet unavailable in the

respondent’s home. We can say this is the effect of invention of mass media, mobile

phone and new media that mean the former technological accessories not so

important after the invention of new medium followed by mass medium.

Net connection possible devices have in the 52% respondent’s home. That mean they

have the chance to access this medium. Internet may be a true friend of seniors but

maximum of them cannot belief on this medium till now.

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 TABLE NO 7: INTERNET CONNECTION USE BY THE RESPONDENTS

INTERNET CONNECTION
CONNECTION PERCENTAGE

6%3%
BROADBAND 6 BROADBAND
DONGLE/MODEM
DONGLE/MODEM 3 91% NOTHING

NOTHING 91

As the researcher assume seniors are not friendly towards internet in Bolpur, result of

above table also showing this. Only 9% seniors are using internet and other 91% are

not using internet. Among 9% respondents only 6% persons using broadband

connection and other 3% respondents using dongle connection.

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TABLE NO 8: INTERNET ACCESSING HABIT AMONG FAMILY MEBERS OF

RESPONDENTS

FAMILY
INTERNET ACCESSING
MEMBER’S NUMBER
HABIT HABIT
YES 217
NO 153
41%
YES
59%
NO

Atmosphere does matter we all know. If the members of respondent’s home familiar

with internet then it may impact on the respondent’s mind. On the other hand it may

make dependent seniors on the juniors.

As per this table 59% respondent’s family is connected with internet and 41% is not

connected.

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 TABLE 9: WHY SENIORS ARE NOT USING INTERNET

TOTAL NO OF RESPONDENT (N) = 337

REASON PERCENTAGE
REASON OF NOT USING
Due to fear 3
60 INTERNET
Due to age 36 50
Have no idea 40
55 30 57
how to use 20
55
36
Unwillingness 17 10 3 17 0
0
Do not want
to break my 0
privacy

No need of it 57

One respondent gave ticks (√) on multiple answer. Reason of reluctant towards

internet among seniors is not fear because when researcher asked the respondent did

you have fear about internet, then they negatively reacted. If anyone notices the above

figure then that person will able to understand they are also not afraid of privacy.

Only 36% respondent saying due to age they are not using this medium.

57% respondent saying they have no need of this medium. That mean seniors are not

practically aware about the usage of internet but they know many things about internet

by the word of mouths. 55% respondent saying they have no idea how to use. They

never tried to learn, depend on others and thought there is television, which will inform,

educate and entertain.

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 TABLE 10: WITH WHICH CONDITION RESPONDENTS WILL ACCESS INTERNET

TOTAL NO OF RESPONDENT (N) =337

CONDITION PERCENTAGE INTERNET ACCESSING

If anyone help
25 CONDITION
to learn then
50
Help by If anyone help to
arranging 10 40
learn then

devices
30 Help by arranging
Financial help 10 devices
20
Do not want to
Financial help
learn if anyone 43 10
help then also
0 Do not want to learn
Not Answered 29 PERCENTAGE if anyone help then
also

There was another question to find out with which condition senior will try to learn

internet but to give answer is not mandatory for this question because when

researcher done pilot study that time too much questions bore the respondents so

there was one question in which they may answer or not or answer multiple at a

time.From the above table researcher can say 43% respondents among 337 are fully

negative and another 29% respondents have not given any answer. 25% respondents

have the wish to learn if any one help them.

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 TABLE NO 11: AWARNESS OF INTERNET USAGE AMONG RESPONDENTS

TOTAL NO OF RESPONDENT (N) = 370

AWARNESS PERCENTAGE AWARENESS OF

YES 80
INTERNET
NO 20
20%

YES

80% NO

This question was a trick to know the respondents have knowledge about the various

services on new media like they can take advices from the doctors, any kind of

information from many hospitals, can work of bank, pay electric bill, shop anything,

can talk with friends, chat, can do video calls, send mails, collect any type of

information around the world, read books, newspapers, can watch movie, download

likeable music. Every work will be possible in cheaper way with lesser time in internet.

From the above table anyone can understand seniors have the idea about the new

media because 80% response positively only 20% said they have no idea about these

things.

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 TABLE NO 12: DETAIL STATUS OF NET USING RESPONDENTS

TOTAL NO OF RESPONDENT (N) = 33

RESPON MONTHLY EXPENSE

AGE SEX LEARNED YEARS
DENT INCOME(RS) /MONTH
1 65 M 2500 FROM HIS SON 250-500 12
2 76 F 5000 BY OWN 300 3
3 74 M 7000 FROM INTERNET 250-300 1
4 70 M 15000 BY OWN 500 10
5 63 M 25000 BY OWN 300 7
6 60 M 12000 FROM SON 200 1

7 66 F 5000 FROM SON 500 5

8 71 M 9000 BY OWN 250-300 2
9 63 F - FROM DAUGHTER 250 3
10 69 M 3500 BY OWN 200 1
11 77 M 14000 FROM SON 150 6
12 65 M 7800 FROM GRAND SON 300 2
13 60 M 15000 FROM SON 455 1
14 70 M 40000 FROM INTERNET 500 12
15 66 F - FROM SON 500 5
16 63 M 18000 BY OWN 250-300 3
17 66 M 15000 BY OWN 200 2
18 69 M 12000 FROM INTERNET 100 1
19 62 M 25000 BY OWN 1000 9
20 64 M 6000 BY OWN 255 2
21 72 M 13000 FROM SON 98 1
22 60 F 9000 FROM FRIEND 200 2
23 63 M 19000 BY OWN 500 7
24 65 M 4500 BY OWN 300 5
25 67 M 28000 BY OWN 455 6
26 73 M 16000 BY OWN 300 3

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 27 68 M 20000 BY OWN 500 3
28 62 F - FROM GRAND 250 4
DAUGHTER
29 66 M 39000 BY OWN 300 8
30 71 M 10000 BY OWN 198 2
31 64 M 8000 BY OWN 255 1
32 69 M 5000 BY OWN 98 3
33 61 M 4000-8000 BY OWN 200 1

Within 370 respondents only 33 respondents have the access of internet. From the

above table researcher can say respondents among 60 to 80 ages using internet

above them it is not possible to use internet because most of them are not physically

well. Only 6 female respondents are using internet, 76 aged woman using internet and

she learned only 3 years before. From this researcher can say to learn anything there

is no age.

Among 33 respondent 16 respondents have less than RS 10000 monthly income and

they saying to recharge internet balance too much money is not require. To recharge

balance they spend maximum 500 rupees, which they can avail.

They said many of them learned internet from others and few of them learned by own.

9 respondents are practicing internet from more than 5 years and the others are

practicing from less than 5 years.

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 CHAPTER 5

5.1 DISCUSSIONS:

RQ 1: How many devices present in your home?

From the table no 6 we can see, among 370 respondents each and every respondent

have the chance to access mass medium (basically TV) and mobile phone, 52% have

the chance to access net connections devices. That mean they realised the need of

mass medium, which entertain, educate and inform them but till now many seniors

think they have no need of this medium. However the minimum respondents use the

earlier medium like radio, DVD/VCD, and land phone. That means they got understand

about the television because they have not to participate when watching. Researcher

can say from the uses and gratification theory audience till now have not acting as

active audience they are trapped by the media organisation where the media driving

them. They cannot understand that in this age they can find out their require

information by using the new medium and then no media organisation can motivate

them using hypodermic needle theory of communication.

RQ 2: Which internet connection you use in your computer/laptop/smartphone?

91% Respondent answered they are not using any type of internet connection and

only 9% saying they are using internet (table no 7). Among them 6% using broadband

connection and the others using MTS/ airtel/ Vodafone dongle connections.

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3% respondents who are using dongle connection they said in broadband connection

expense is higher than dongle connection.

RQ 3.Are you done work (like sending email, shopping, banking, searching information etc.,) in

internet from home? If “Yes” then write

What type of works you done in internet?

How long you access internet per day?

Are you learned use of internet by own or by the help of others?

How much you have to expend to do internet per month?

How many years are you accessing internet?

We can see in table 7 and 12, only 33 respondents among 370 accessing internet.

They collect information; send mail, use banking facilities, download music, movies,

read books, newspapers. Nevertheless few of them use social media like Facebook,

WhatsApp.

By getting the answers of above questions researcher felt that these seniors are

purposely using internet and got the benefit. Those who are using this medium for

banking purpose they said they gave electric bill, shop many things, able to know how

many balance they have in their account from home. One of them said internet is friend

of mine when I will be more aged and no option will be there to go outside that time I

can access this medium without anyone’s dependency.

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Those who are using social media they said when no one have the time for us that

time we use social media and see other’s posted things and chat with my older friends,

share something and recover the loneliness.

Few of them are only using to talk or video chat with their sons. They said physically

we are not able to go there in frequent manner but can talk by seeing one another.

One said, “Internet is the only cheaper way to talk with my son”.

Few of them are download songs and cinemas. They said by accessing internet we

can collect our generation’s movie, rare songs which is not available in shops, price is

also too higher.

Seniors also use internet to read many types of newspapers, books. One of them said,

“I will not be able to read so many things at a time if I will not access internet”.

So internet is helping seniors and like Youngers they have the need of this new

medium. One can get the idea of other answers in table no 12.

RQ4. Are seniors practicing internet outside the home?

From table no 6 one can notice only 52% home have the net connectable devices.

The seniors who have no devices they can go cyber café to practice internet. By paying

only 10-15 rupees they will get all the devices and connection to do internet. So lack

of devices is not a problem.

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RQ5. If yes, then from where seniors using it?

Among 33 respondents who are using internet, few of them replied by using smart

phone they access internet outside the home but never gone to any cyber café. One

replied, “In this age if I go cyber café then other younger will laugh at me”. But

researcher made that person understand, no one will laugh at you still they will help

you to learn more.

RQ6. Why the seniors are using internet? (Specifically for those who are

accessing internet)

Discussed this question in table no 12 and RQ.3, please see those.

RQ7. According to you why the other seniors are not using internet?

(Specifically for those who are accessing internet)

They stated that economy might be the reason because after the age of 60, most of

the person retired from their job and suffer from an economy problem.

Health problem may be an issue, lack of interest is a reason, may be they do not know

how to operate systems.

Nevertheless one respondent whose age is 74 years old he said “there is no reason

behind the not use of internet”.

P a g e 37 | 46
Q8. How many members from your family accessing internet? Which device

and internet connection they are using to do internet?

In table no 8, this question’s data has given. 59% houses are randomly accessing

internet, they using more or less all devices like desktop computer, laptop computer,

smartphones, tablets to do internet. Maximum of them are using MTS connection but

few are there who using broadband also.

In rest of 41% houses where no one is accessing internet, because their children dwell

in abroad or other places for their job, economically poor etc.,.

Few seniors said, “Our desktop computer is kept in its own position and when my son

will come he will use it and when he will go then he will cover it but we never use”.

RQ9. Why are you not using internet? (Specifically for those who are not

accessing internet)

Those seniors are not using they answered it very nicely which is given in table 9.

They simply saying we have no need of this medium then why we will take the extra

pressure. Television is there which gave us information, if anything require then others

will help us then why we will learn?

They also highlighted, in this age nothing will be possible to learn because they think

their brain is not capable to catch anything.

Nevertheless some seniors said they do not know how to use this medium and said

they never tried to learn internet.

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However which is more surprising for this study is that the seniors (except 3%) are not

saying they have any fear about internet.

RQ10. In which condition you will access internet? (Specifically for those who

are not accessing internet, nevertheless to give the answer for this question is

not mandatory)

As this question is not mandatory to answer (table no 10), so many respondents have

not given answer because they are confused. They are in the dilemma will I learn or

not? They are not fully negative because they have not ticked on “I will not learn if

anyone help then also” option.

43% respondents among 337 respondents are full of negative who directly said in any

cost I would not learn internet because they have no need of it.

But other respondent said they would learn if any one helps them. They have the eager

to know. They said, “They are not up to date, want to up to date so internet may be

the way to get modern”.

RQ11. Are seniors aware about the internet services from home?

When researcher collecting data that time she got understand maximum seniors have

the idea about the internet services like they can take advices from the doctors, any

kind of information from many hospitals, can work of bank, pay electric bill, shop

anything, talk with friends, chat, do video calls, send mails, collect any type of

information around the world, read books, newspapers, can watch movie, download

likeable music etc., which is shown in table 11. That mean they know what is internet,

P a g e 39 | 46
which things are done in internet. But they do not have the interest to learn these new

things.

5.2. Objective wise analysis:

To get the aim of this study researcher tried to emphasized on two objectives

these are-

1) To find the status of digital praxis among older generation in Bolpur:

Researcher collected 370 samples of different ages above 60 years and found

out only 33 persons have the digital praxis and others are not habituated with internet

in Bolpur. However 52% houses possess devices, which can be connected to net.

(Table no 6 and 7). The detail praxis of seniors is in the table no 12.

2) Reason of such praxis:

Earlier researchers found that age is a reason behind this praxis but in this work

anyone can observe, a 77 years old person using internet and that person is saying

this medium is my good friend. So age is not a factor if they are physically well. But

many seniors have given excuse that they are too old to use internet.

Among 33 respondents six were women and others were men. Women are

using this medium to do video call with their son and using social media but nothing

than these. Those women who are not using this medium they are saying we have no

time to use anything extra and we have no brain to catch anything in this age.

The analysis report saying they are quiet educated, only 29% respondents were

from below School final. So if educational qualification is a cause behind the no use of

P a g e 40 | 46
internet then major respondents are quiet educated so they are sufficient to surf

internet. As major of them are detached from any practice of education (except

newspaper reading) they are quiet nervous to learn any new thing but they are not

afraid.

Economy may be a reason but a person whose income is 2500 rupees

(pension) per month he is using internet then other person also can use internet only

by changing mentality (Table no 12).

From table no 9 anyone can observe among 337 respondents 57%

respondents are saying they have no need of it but only 3% saying they have fear to

use new media and 55% said they do not know how to use this medium. So researcher

can say firstly motivation towards internet of seniors is necessary then they need

training because many people said they will learn about this medium if anyone help

then (Table no 10).

5.3. Findings:

Only few person, 33 out of 370, is using internet that mean seniors of Bolpur

town are lagging behind and they are also the reason for increasing the percentage of

digital divide.

Seniors of Bolpur town are not using internet because they never practically

tried to use internet they just heard about internet by word of mouths. That is why most

of them said they have no need of internet.

From the above discussion researcher can say age (up to 80), device, economy

are not any reason which are proved in the earlier research. The reason behind the

P a g e 41 | 46
not use of internet is “UNWILLINGNESS”. Because they do not know the use of

internet that is why they feel “they have no need of it” and from there unwillingness

came within the seniors of Bolpur (Table no 9 & RQ 9).

5.4. Conclusion:

Researcher can conclude that age, economy these are not problem at all

behind the discomfort towards internet among senior citizens of Bolpur town. The main

reason is they are too much fond towards television that is why they do not understand

the need of this new medium so they are ignoring it and saying they have no need of

this medium. That mean they are totally motivated by the media person which is said

in Hypodermic needle theory and they till now have not understand the Uses and

gratification theory because they are not accessing media as per their need which is

possible in accessing of new media only.

5.5. Further suggestion:

This research can be used as a catalyst for further research on “Internet and

Senior citizens” or any related study about it. This study has provided the basis for

several future directions for research. As this was a Pure or Basic research so when

any other researcher will practically experiment this study will help the researcher.

This research has been confined within a town (Bolpur) among the seniors.

Hence, the future researcher could explore and expand the area of research in other

cities and carry similar survey. It is further suggested that the future researcher can

conduct on middle aged people and on their digital praxis because seniors are not

P a g e 42 | 46
only the reason behind the digital divide in India. Many people are not friendly towards

internet.

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