Members of the Centre for Social Informatics have published a review article in the International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction

Dr. Jošt Bartol and Dr. Andraž Petrovčič have published a review article titled “Characteristics, Factors, and Outcomes of Older Internet Users’ Privacy Management on the Internet: A Scoping Review” in the International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction.

Older adults are one of the social groups most vulnerable to online privacy violations, owing to their generally lower levels of internet skills. Concerns about potential privacy violations can reduce their willingness to adopt digital technologies and thus hinder the digitalisation of society. To address these challenges, it is necessary to understand the key factors that determine privacy protection among older adults, as well as the consequences of (in)adequate protection.

In the study, the authors conducted an in-depth review of the literature on privacy among older (65+) internet users. An analysis of 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria showed that most studies focus on the link between privacy concerns and self-disclosure, while only a small proportion examine online privacy literacy and its role in privacy protection behaviour. They also found that older adults, due to a lack of their own skills and literacy, ask others for help in protecting their privacy, which burdens their relatives and simultaneously slows the acquisition of necessary skills among older adults. Moreover, the review found that studies often examined factors related to privacy protection but rarely its consequences.

Based on the review, the authors developed a conceptual model of privacy management among older internet users, which can serve as a solid foundation for further research. They also identified several knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to develop appropriate approaches to improving privacy literacy among older adults and thereby encourage them to better protect their own privacy.

The study was financed by research project J5-60096 (Internet Privacy Management and Digital Inequalities among Older Internet Users) and the research programme P5-0399 (Internet Research).