Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants and Digital Hermits in the Labour Market: A European Comparison of Older Adults

Abstract

Using computers has become increasingly crucial in contemporary European societies. However, the digital divide splits society into those who possess computer skills and those who do not. Although the older generations are less likely to possess computer skills, the differences across countries and cohorts are underexplored. This study explores when older adults first used computers at work, comparing 26 European countries. The perspective on working life is salient, as it represents a key part of life for acquiring computer skills. The study focuses on the division between digital natives who have used a computer for most of their working lives, digital immigrants who learnt to use a computer later in their lives, and the new concept of digital hermits, who have never used a computer for work. Data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe is analysed, with 56,973 eligible respondents. Findings show that there is considerable variation across countries and cohorts. Countries from Social Democratic and Conservative regimes have experienced digitalisation of workplaces, resulting in an increasingly digitally literate older adult population, and younger cohorts are rapidly becoming more digital. Simultaneously many Central and Eastern European countries and Southern European countries are showing modest increases in the share of older adults who have used a computer at work, suggesting challenges in digital adaptation. The findings suggest that European countries are taking differing paths in their ongoing digitalisation processes.