Senior citizens, media and information literacy and health information

Abstract

This study examined the development of information seeking and evaluation of the usefulness and reliability of information, in three information channels, Media, Health specialist and Internet, in the period 2002 to 2012. Random samples were used, participants were categorized into two groups, 60 to 67 years old and 68 years or older. Data analysis was performed with ANOVA (one-way). Health specialists were considered most useful and reliable, although rated lower in 2012 than in 2002. Usefulness and reliability of information in the Media was comparable in 2012 and 2002. Information seeking on the Internet had increased since 2002. The younger group considered the information less useful and reliable in 2012 than in 2002. For the older group the evaluation was identical in 2012 to what it was in 2002. Thus, information seeking on the Internet had increased since 2002 but participants had also become more critical of the information.