The Senior Internet User: Lessons From The Cybernun Study

Abstract

How do senior citizens view computers? What can help or hinder their use of today’s digital technologies? “The Cybernun Study: Religious Sisters, Life Satisfaction and Computer Use” examined computer use and life satisfaction of senior religious sisters; also addressing computer usability concerns of senior citizens. A sample was obtained of 103 nuns in Upstate New York.; self-identified as computer users (CU) or non-users (NU). Nuns completed demographic information, two structured surveys and responded to additional semi-structured questions in selected interviews. Analysis of the open-ended responses found interesting differences in sister’s perceptions of computer use.