Influence of previous work experience and education on Internet use of people in their 60s and 70s.

Background: Internet use among the elderly is influenced by various demographic backgrounds, social life and health factors.

Objective: This study aims to identify the impact of several demographic features on 60- to 79-year-old individuals' intention to use the Internet.

Method: Finland population data (N = 2508) from the 2012 IKIPOSA project was used with two cohorts: 60s group (n = 1515) and 70s group (n = 990). Descriptive statistic and two binomial logistic regressions have been used with the unadjusted effect and Forward LR method to measure each predictor's contribution to the model. In addition, a preliminary analysis to measure the multicollinearity was performed.

Result: Of the 18 independent variables, only nine predictors, namely, age, education, financial situation, having children, entrepreneurship, a leadership position, a higher level white-collar worker and a lower level white-collar worker, were significant factors in predicting the Internet use. Meanwhile, gender, having grandchildren, living alone, marital status, house location and type, stay-at-home mother or father, blue-collar worker, agricultural entrepreneur and social relations satisfaction were not significant predictors. The most significant predictors were education and age, which contributed 19% and 10%, respectively, to the model. Other significant predictors, lower level white-collar worker, higher level white-collar worker and financial situation, had less impact with only around 6%.

Conclusion: Education and age were influential factors among elderly to use the Internet in their later life. Certain work experiences affect elderly people's engagement with the Internet after retirement.