Living in the Digital Periphery—Old People in Rural Israel Talk About Information Technology

Senior citizens could benefit from Information technology (IT), especially in rural areas where the lack of agglomeration makes services more expensive. The aim of the study is to examine the older adults perception and preferences of IT, while referring to spatial, social, and cultural contexts. The research was conducted in the rural periphery of Israel, relating to the diversity of the population and types of settlements. The study was based on interviews with forty senior citizens aged 65 to 93. The findings indicate that senior citizens have an ambivalent attitude: while it is difficult for them to use IT, some understand that digital illiteracy might marginalize and distance them from their families and communities.