Silver Surfers and New Media: Experiences, Thoughts and Observations of Elder People about Internet

Introduction

Each individual born in the 1940s witnessed a rapid change in communication technologies. This process, which started with radio and newspaper, continued with black and white televisions and then with coloured televisions. Then it has come up with video cassette players, satellite technologies and digital platforms. They witnessed a period when the telephone, which is the most important tool of interpersonal communication, was moved from the post offices, then from the houses and then to our pockets. Undoubtedly, the internet and technologies in these testimonies have been the most surprising development both for them and the generation that came after them. In the 1990s and 2000s, the technology and dominance of the generation, which was born with the internet technology, quickly directed the new technology. The efforts of the older generation, who have difficulty adapting to this situation, have led to the classification of new technology users as digital natives and migrants. Many studies on internet use and user behaviour have tried to reveal the attitudes, thoughts and attitudes of different generations against new media and technologies. In the works on internet usage of the generation born in 1940 and 1950, silver surfer definition was used to describe this generation. Due to the habits of the traditional media and the difficulties of adapting to new communication technologies, the effort and desire to use the internet in combination with the white hair has created the definition of silver surfers.

Literature Review

Old age is one of the important stages of human nature. Deformation of biological features, weakness of the body, weakening of organ functions, limitation of life are the problems mostly seen in the elderly and caused by old age. In the traditional way of life and family structure, it can be said that the status and roles of the elderly and their influence on the rest of society are very important. With the transition to the established life, the cultural environment has gained diversity, the increase of the opportunities of the people and the creation of the surplus product increased the life span, and the place of the elderly became more important thanks to the division of labor. (Özkul; Kalaycı; 2015)

Aging is not just a biological process. Chronological age does not provide information on the nature of the aging process; understanding of old age, social, psychological and cultural contexts are considered together (İçli, 2008).

• Biological aging is defined as a decrease in functions in the human organism and cell losses.
• Chronological age evaluates the age stages passed from birth to death in categories.
• Psychological age is considered to be the age of the person.
• Social aging becomes meaningful when it is perceived that the environment evaluates the person as elderly and gradual retreat from life with status and role losses. (Baran vd, 2005).

A significant portion of the increase in the elderly population will occur in developing countries such as Turkey. Given the economic difficulties they face, the inadequacy of social service infrastructures and the fact that traditional care provided by family members can only be done in limited sizes, it is understood that these countries will face serious problems in providing a welfare package to their elderly population. (WHO, 1998).

Turkey's population is getting older, though young today. According to Turkey Statistical Institute 2009 data, the working age population in the 15-64 age group constitutes 67 percent of the total population. As the proportion of elderly people in the total population increases, the expectation of life time increases. Life expectancy, which is 54 years for women and 51 years for men in the 1960s, is estimated to be 74 years for men and 79 years for women in 2030 (OECD 2000).

According to the definition of the United Nations, the proportion of the elderly population in a country to be between 8% and 10% means that the population of the country is elderly. The fact that the proportion of the elderly population in the total population is over 10% means that it is very old. In 2014, the elderly population accounted for 8.3% of the world's population. The countries with the highest rate of elderly population are Monaco (29.5%), Japan (25.8%) and Germany (21.1%) (TUIK, 2015). As well as all over the world and in Turkey elderly (65 and over) population is rapidly increasing rate. In 2013, the ratio of the elderly population to the total population is 7.7%, and it is estimated that this ratio will increase to 10.2% in 2023. According to data shortly after Turkey will enter “too old society category (TUIK, 2015).

Internet

Based on the fact that communication is a tool that connects masses, Castells has pointed out the importance of technology. Castells, considering the developments in the Internet technologies and information technologies, which are the current counterpart of developing communication technologies, defined the society as a Network Society. Networks can be in economic, political and cultural structures according to their purposes. The main feature of network society is that it is dependent on information technologies. In this case, all societies and individuals are interdependent in a non-limiting way in all areas and sections of the social structure. Changes in individuals and society within these networks are now accelerated and more important than in the past (Castells, 2008, s. 623).

In today's world, the new media takes place in every aspect of life and plays an important role in daily life by referring to social networks with the definition of social media. Social networks emerged through the new media in the first instance, and although social networks are seen as an internet-based formation, the history of social networks is as old as the history of mankind.

The Internet has emerged in the last 50 years and the Web 1.0 technology developed in the 1990s followed the transition to Web 2.0 technology in 2000s. With Web 1.0 technology, the concepts of time and space disappeared, along with Web 2.0 technology, followed by mutual and instant interaction between users. With the emergence and development of Social Network Sites in the period of Web 2.0, individuals and masses have been interacting as much as never before. This developing interaction has created a, culture of cooperation and this has shaped the economy, politics and education. Social Networking Sites today play an active role in the formation, dissemination and publicity of social events (Castell, 2013).

In this context, unlike the one-way monologue communication provided by the mainstream media with the target audience, the new media provided users with the opportunity to communicate in a bidirectional instant (Akar, 2011, s. 11). This bi-directional, space-free, time-constrained contact without the presence of any gate keeper allowed groups to come together, communicate and organize in the community. (Göker ve Doğan, 2011, s. 175-203).

Dijk describes the new media as follows: “New media consists of both online and offline communication tools such as personal computers, tablets, smartphones and electronic book readers and also the Internet”. Dijk describes the unification of data communication and mass media in a single media as a convergence. In this context, in the definition of Dijk, new media also includes Internet technologies and Social Network Sites used today. Convergence is the most important characteristic of the new media (Dijk, 2016, s. 17-20).

In the literature, Social Network Sites are defined as “new media. This definition refers to the novelty of the Social Network Sites as a technological innovation. Dijk emphasizes that Social Networking Sites have three characteristics: integration, interactivity and digital code.

Integration is one of the most important characteristics of the new media. The unification of telecommunication systems, data transmission systems and mass media in a single environment has led to the emergence of the term convergence. Internet integrated all services such as radio broadcasting, data transmission and processing, audio and image transmission etc., into a single structure and converged. In this way, data transmission, telecommunication and mass communication infrastructures are now united and can only work with the Internet infrastructure.

Interactivity offers users three dimensions: space, synchronization and behavioral. With the independence of the space created by the Internet, new media users can interact wherever they are in the world. Synchronization is a time-related issue. According to this, users can access content and produce content on the Internet simultaneously or at their own time. In the behavioral area, users can change their source and receiver roles at any time thanks to the Interactivity.

Digital code is a phenomenon that causes all the features mentioned above to be related to computer technologies. By coding data as 0 and 1 a transmission occurred between old and new media. (Dijk, 2006, s. 6-9).

In defining social media, Fuchs considers the Web as a techno-social system that encompasses the social processes of cognition, communication and collaboration, and defines the social effects of social media accordingly. According to this, while some parts of the Web are communicative (in Weberyen sense), in the stages of community building, cooperation and common production, the meaning of Web Tönnies and Marx is social. Fusch defines web 1.0, computer-based networking of human cognition, web 2.0 is a computer-based network of human communication, web 3.0 as a computer-based network of human cooperation and co-production. As a result, it is seen that people enter a communal cooperation process through the Internet and social media (Fuchs, 2014, s. 65-67).

Diffusion of Innovations Theory

Rogers's Theory of Diffusion of Innovation is a widely accepted theory in the application of information systems (Demir, 2006). Theory is a complex theory that focuses on collecting information about the process of adaptation to innovation and reducing uncertainty (Agarwal, Ahuja, Carter ve Gans, 1998). This theory, like other integration theories, points to the process of acceptance or rejection of innovation by a particular community, pointing out the perceived features of innovation, the predictor of adaptation behavior. (Park, 2004, Berger, 2005). In this respect, the theory provides a useful perspective on adapting to and using ever-evolving technology. In his theory, Rogers (1995) described innovation as an idea, practice or object perceived as new by the individual or the organization. Innovation does not need to be a concept or design that is not known before. It is sufficient that the individual or the organization has not used him before (Berger, 2005). In addition to that, innovation can be used to develop alternative solutions to problems to meet the needs or to identify new solutions for problems (Rogers, 1995). In this respect, innovation can be defined as a new product, technology, point of view or solution for individuals or organizations. Diffusion is the process of transmitting innovation through certain channels among members of a social system over time. Rogers (1995) define four main components of diffusion as innovation, communication channels, time and social system.

According to Rogers, who defines innovation as an idea, practice, or object that is perceived as new by an individual or other unit of adoption, it’s not important whether an idea or invention is "objectively" new as measured by the lapse of time since its first use or discovery. The perceived newness of the idea or invention for the individual determines his or her reaction to it and so if the idea or invention is new to this individual, it is accepted as an innovation (Rogers, 1995).

Rogers allege that an individual's decision about an innovation is a process that occurs over time and consists of a series of actions. This innovation-decision process consists of five actions including knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation and confirmation. Process starts with knowledge phase, which a decision-making unit is exposed to the innovation's existence and gains some understanding of how it functions. After knowledge phase, persuasion phase which the decision-making unit forms a favourable or unfavourable attitude toward the innovation occurs. Decision is the phase that the decision-making unit engages in activities that lead to a choice to adopt or reject the innovation. The fourth phase of innovation-decision process is implementation phase which occurs when the decision-making unit puts an innovation into use. Process ends with confirmation which occurs when the decision-making unit seeks reinforcement of an innovation-decision already made, but he/she may reverse this previous decision if exposed to conflicting messages about the innovation (Rogers, 1995; Değerli, Aytekin & Değerli, 2015).

Methodology

According to Turkey Statistical Institute data, computer owner ship among elder people between 55-74 has rapidly increasing since 2004. There is a huge difference between 2004 and 2016 data. In 2004 2,4 of population had computer. In 2016 this rate increases to 22,6%.

Another statistic is about internet ownership. According to data in 2004 2% of population had internet. This ratio came to 29,8% in 2016. In this time interval internet technology had changed, to connect internet people start to use desktop, laptop computers, smartphones, tablets and satellite receivers etc. These technologic developments also pushed people to use internet. Because of that internet ownership ratio increased.

This study has tried to appear 55 years and up Internet user’s experiences and observations about Internet and new technology. To reach this aim an open-ended questioner forms was prepared and send to 12 participants of study by Facebook and what’s App 6 women and 6 men participant answer the question with What’s App and Facebook Messenger.

10 of 12 participants are 60 years and up there are 1 man and 1 woman participant under 60. 4 men participant have bachelor degree and 2 men have high school degree. One of women participants has PhD degree, two of them have Bachelor degree and 3 of them have high school degree. Oldest participant is a woman she is 69 years old.

Table 1. Demographics

Findings

What Does Internet Word Mean to You?

The meaning of the Internet was asking to participants. They use some words often to describe Internet. Information, knowledge, research, communicate, old friends, fast, easy are the most used words to describe Internet.

M1 - The meaning of our lives changes according to its stage; First of all, Internet is a wonderful source for education to reach information. I use it to reach what I concern. It gives a great opportunity to complete missing knowledge, to learn new things. And also, it is a short cut to reach knowledge. Recently I am using Internet but it is also unreliable, this is the other face of it.

M2- It is an opportunity to learn whatever you want immediately. Can find your friend that you lost their tracks 40 years ago. You can exchange ideas. And cheapest way to communicate friends and relatives. It helps to away loneliness.

M3 - Ease

M4 - A device for surfing at virtual environment

M5 - Electronic communication network

M6 - A world of information

W1 - Research

W2- Fast access to knowledge, to new ideas, to my friends, and fast solution to payments, shopping etc.

W3 - Easy communication, informative, easy to getting news.

W4 - Communication and reaching the information.

W5 - An environment to reach knowledge and news.

W6 - A device for surfing at virtual environment

When Did You Start to Spend Money and to Get Technology to Reach Internet?

Another question asked to participants is when they started to use Internet and started to spend money for it. According to these answers M1, M3, M5, W4 and W5 using Internet and by technology for 15-20 years. It was a basic when question but some participant needed to explain why. For example, M1 explain why he buy Internet and technology with “I should keep up with my students” words. Another reason determined by participant is children.

M1 - I started to use 15 years ago. If the knowledge level of a teacher who want to remain active teaching life, should keep up with their students. So I started to use Internet.

M2 - I have bought Internet and computer 10 years ago. My friends offer me strongly, so I began to spend money.

M3 - since 1997

M4 - I bought a computer when my little girl was graduated from high school in 2004.

M5 - Approximately 20 years ago

M6 - years ago

W1 - I don't remember. Many years ago.

W2 - long time ago I don't remember

W3 - for 3-4 years

W4 - because of my business I began to use computer and internet in 1997

W5 - I'm not sure but we bought our first computer in 1995.

W6 - we bought a computer at 2004.

Why Did You Spend Money and Time to Reach Internet?

In this study when you began to spend money for Internet and technology question is followed by “Why did you spend money and time to reach Internet?” question. Most often used words or phrases to answer why question are knowledge, getting information, finding friends, to make life easier, being like everyone, our children demand, I love technology.

M1 - To reach education materials, knowledge and technology and to follow developments on earth and our country I started to spend money for Internet. I am a teacher. I should lead my students.

M2 - It is an opportunity to learn whatever you want immediately. Can find your friend that you lost their tracks 40 years ago. I can exchange ideas. And cheapest way to communicate friends and relatives. ıt help to away to loneliness.

M3- Made life easier

M4 -We have bought the request of my girl.

M5 -You left behind if you don't keep up your friends.

M6 - For a world of information

W1 - Being like everyone

W2 - First children want it. Than it became a part of our life.

W3 - I follow up the new things is a necessary. Especially technology. They are making our lives better.

W4 - for business, adapting to conditions, to follow developing and changing world I bought technology and Internet.

W5 - My interest to knowledge, news and new technology are the biggest reason

W6 - for our children

Figure 3: Which Devices do You Have?

According to their answer Internet has a positive meaning for all participants and they have spent time and money to connect Internet. When “which devices do you have” questions asked them answers shows us that only one participant, M1, has all possible devices like smartphone, tablet, desktop and lap top computer. On the other hand, three participants have one device two of them, M2 and M5, have desktop computer. One participant, W3, has Smartphone (Figure 1).

Analyzes on 12 participants are show that 38% of them have smartphone (10 participants), 35% of them have desktop computer, 15% of participants have tablet and 12% of them have Laptop computer.

Participants also gave some extra details during the answer tis question. According to these details. Some of them have still live with their children. That’s why they have technological diversity in their house. Another detail is about desktop computer. Mostly these computers are first device of their children and quite old technology.

Figure 4: Means to Reach Internet

How Much Time Do You Spend on Internet? What Are You Doing During This Time?

What they do on Internet and how much time they spend question is the most important to this study, because answer of these questions are shows how they are persuade and use this technology. According to their answer:

M1 - Morning, noon and evening I've been using about one hour. In total it is about Three hours. But communication is always open through my smartphone. I am generally reading columnists; newspapers and social network sites visited every day.

M2 - Some days 10-12 hours, some days 2-3 hours. Generally, I look newspapers, Facebook; sometimes I watch movie or TV shows. Sometimes I designed slide shows from my friends’ photographs and share it. Sometimes I have not open computer for 15- 20 days. Like a detox.

M3 - I don't let it take my time much. I don't use it for vein.

M4 - I spend 2-3 hours in a day on Internet. Generally, I play games, read something from Facebook and follow Facebook posts.

M5 - I use Internet 2*3 hours in a day. Mostly use for business. Of course, I communicate my friends and read newspapers. It is also helpful to learn what you are curious?

M6 - 7-8 hours

W1 - To check social network sites and to read news 1-2 hours.

W2 - I use very short time in summer, but in winter I spend 4-5 hours in a day. Generally, I play game. If I need I search knowledge. How it’s done, how its work, health, cooking etc. For example, you can organize a vacation to somewhere you never go. I did it. We rent a car, rent a house, where do I stay etc. All done with help of Internet.

W3 - 1-2 hours not much. I have things to do outside. I can't stand too much.

W4 - I follow Internet news when I find time. I'm an active social media user. I spend 3 hours in a day.

W5 - I can't give specific time period but we can say 1 or 2 hours. Generally, I 'm checking e-mails, also read something about business I'm working at municipality and many things interested us, these are taken much time. That's why I'm mostly using Internet for those things. Only at nighttime for personal purposes I use it. For example, I like cooking, I search for interesting recipes and try to cook them. Internet is a part of my business but also it saves me from business atmosphere.

W6 - 2 Hours in a day. I follow Facebook, I am listening old songs from YouTube. I read something, also read comments.

Figure 5: Which social media app are you using if you have smart phone?

Another question is which social media sites or applications are used by you. According to their answers M6 have 5 different accounts for five different social media sites. These are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube. 5 of 12 participants have three accounts. Four participants’, W1, W3, W4 and M4, accounts have belonged to Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. One of them, M1, is using twitter insist of Instagram. Most popular social network site is Facebook according to this generation. Second popular site is WhatsApp. Third one is Instagram. Twitter is using by only two participants and they are men.

What Do You Think About Facebook?

Facebook is most popular social network site for digital migrants. We tried to learn their opinions about Facebook. According to their explanations finding old friends is most popular specialties of Facebook. Second one is learning interesting things.

M1 - It is such a good environment to find old friends, gathering news form them, to create a chance to meet them and also good for explain your ideas.

M2 - It is a good place to get news, to learn about my friends and to entertain. In a period, number of my Facebook friends reach to 1500. Controlling these friends’ posts was really difficult. Then I decided to eliminate some of them and decrease the number 130. Now only close friends and relatives are in my friend list. I made a schedule to visit them. I have two lists. First list is visited in the first 15 days of month, second list visited in second 15 days of month. When I visit their pages, I share something about them, for example I design some slide shows from their photographs and share on their wall, like some posts or make a comment on their post.

M3 - I'm trying to do things that will be useful to the professional. I'm a musician. I’m teaching music. It's a very good about finding good samples. I can share and listen them.

M4 - You can follow faraway friends; you can learn other people’s thoughts about daily developments and events. Sometimes I can learn useful information.

M5 - Facebook can be useful to learn interesting things. But important think you can create a group or join a group for your hobby or an event.

M6 - Generally exceeds its purpose but there are people making right things.

W1 - I can communicate with my friends. I can get news about them. I can learn useful things.

W2 - First playing game. Second it helps me to find old friends, I appreciate for that. I don't trust it about news. But it is useful to support hobbies. I don't like to share my private life on Facebook.

W3 - An instructive thing. Communication is easy, I can get news from everyone, everyone share his or her ideas, knowledge, information.

W4 - It is really good environment to understand the world we live on

W5 - Because of my position at municipality I am also a politician. I don't like Facebook much; I don't like private life of other people. I don't share mine but I accept its power about giving fast information. Birth, death, marriage news sharing very fast. Also, it is interesting and really well about getting news about old and away friends. If you want to communicate, you have chance. But I don't like unnecessary and private posts.

W6 - I can follow my friend’s private life. Who did what, where they are, what they said. There is also some useful information. It's fun.

What Do You Think About Youth's Internet Using?

When we met Internet, in a short time we began to compare people according to using ability to new technology. One of these comparisons is digital nomads and digital migrants. It has still exist. We also add that conflict of generations. We asked Silver Surfers “what you think about youth’s Internet using” and we want them to explain their ideas under two different title. First title explains positive observations and second one is negative observation.

Positive Side

Participant chose these words or phrases to tell their positive observation about youth’s Internet using: skills, following developments, learn very fast,

M1 - Young people’s Internet using skills, following the developments are the positive aspects of Internet.

M2 - No idea about Young’s

M3 - They do not use much positive

M4 - They knew everything, can learn very fast.

M5 - Positive sides are positive for all of us not only for young.

M6 - It's based on observation but they can learn too much things even they fun.

W1 - Able to reach knowledge and able to use it is positive site of youth's Internet using.

W2 - İnternet and its technology is one of the natural parts of young body's. They can easily adopt and use it. They can reach information; they can wider their borders. All worlds beneath their hands. Learning English is very easy for them. Especially games really supported that. They can easily organize for good things. They have friends all around the world. They are really good in shopping, they can find best and cheapest one.

W3 - They born inside the technology, they are using different than us. They have potential to do good things. I like young people who are doing good things.

W4 - It is really good environment to understand the world we live on.

W5 -It is an opportunity to develop themselves. It makes easy to get news, and get reach to information. It allows to person to be open development and change. They can easily learn technology.

W6 – It is very fast, really fast news source, you can learn very quick.

Negative Side

Participant chose these words or phrases to tell their negative observation about youth’s Internet using: messaging and gaming waste their time, they can believe everything,

M1 - Unfortunately most of them using internet to messaging and gaming

M2 - No idea about Young

M3 - They waste their times. There are too much things out side.

M4 - They spend too much time on Internet. They can easily believe what they read. But everything is not true at Internet.

M5 - But I have to say; today negative sides are very much Using technology positively wants knowledge, Culture, social responsibility and a personal goal. Creating this environment can't leave person’s ability. Government should have a special technology politics. Otherwise they spend important sources for waste.

M6 - Every age has own nature. In time someone criticize us in same way.

W1 - Wasting time is also negative side of using Internet for young people.

W2 - Sometimes I think that they are missing the world while they are looking the screen. They can take the given but there are too many wrong knowledge on the net. They don't have enough experience they can manipulate. There are some problems on their bodies. I electricity is cut off they don't know what they do. They can't spend time without technological devices.

W3 - The earth is only inside that screen for some young people. They never raise their heads. Their eyes on electric telephone.

W4 - They spend too much time on the net.

W5 - They get used to easy. They can reach many things easily with a single click which we spend time, money and labor to reach it In one hand it gives extra time and make everything quick on the other hand this situation make them lazy. We don't know its effects on their body. This is another risk point. This is really conscious me. Especially too much radioactive waves. We do not know the problems that can occur for a long time remain motionless against the screen. The other problem is virtual world. I accept that it is real but. It is also part of real world. They stuck in to it. They lost their connection to real world. They try to understand everything with virtual world references. My other conscious is about language. Short text habits broke their language or take them away from us. They can't write. They can't describe or explain. Their explanations are short or shallow.

W6 - They spend too much time. Sometimes it can be misleading.

Could You Please Evaluate Your Position Against Internet and Its Technology?

The last question of the study asked to participant is “Could you please evaluate your position against Internet and its technology?” Their answers show that they find themselves inadequate. But as one of the participants said that “All we are in same age. So, we are same; we are good. There is no one waiting us more than this.” And one another said “In this age learning this technology look likes eating 1 kg orange to get 1 mg. C vitamin.”

M1 - Internet for my peers and me is an opportunity to spend time while socialized. It is an opportunity to be active; it is a branch to catch the life. But most of my friends are not aware of it. They should be brave and try it but they are afraid or reject. According to me people who are interested in Internet are more concern about world and country also social problems.

M2 - Not enough. I think we plowed

M3 - My peers also are dealing with vacancies. No hobbies. There are many materials on the Internet for those who want to waste time. If people don't know what he looking for, can't know the value of what he finds.

M4 - A lot of fun. Even our incompetence.

M5 - You can't go fast in this age. People need time to develop himself with the help of what he learned. In this age learning this technology look likes eating 1 kg orange to get 1 mg. C vitamin.

M6 - Using Internet is strength our connection to world and our environment in these ages. You are being just like everyone else. You forget your age But we cannot use this technology efficient.

W1 - I am communicating with my friends. All we are in same age. So, we are same; we are good. There is no one waiting us more than this.

W2 - Naturally young people better than us about technology but I am not sure it is good or bad. And I should add now they are teaching us. Also, this is another problem they don't want to learn us. It is different situation for our generation. Some of us really adopted these technologies, some of us try and some of us totally rejected. We can live in both ways. It is not true to say one of them is better. It is certain we cannot adapt as young people.

W3 - Enthusiastic but disabled

W4 - I'm an active user.

W5 - When I compare myself with my generation, I started to use this technology very early. Most of them met this technology very late. But it is sad some of my friends be slave of social media and games. They spend too much time on the net. I insist of use social media according to my demands. But because of my job I use Internet very much: Most of my friends are retired this is also effect way of use Internet, that's why they are using social media much. Their interest circle is getting smaller. Internet is very important but also a trap.

W6 - We are not using it, we are just looking.

Conclusion

This study based on digital migrants’ experiences and observations about new technology and Internet. To reach this aim a questioner prepared and 10 open-ended questions asked to silver surfers. 10 of 12 participants are 60 years and up there are 1 man and 1 woman participant under 60. 4 men participant have bachelor degree and 2 men have high school degree. One of women participants has PhD degree, two of them have Bachelor degree and 3 of them have high school degree. Oldest participant is a woman she is 69 years old.

The meaning of the Internet was asking to participants. They use some words often to describe Internet. Information, knowledge, research, communicate, old friends, fast, easy are the most used words to describe Internet.

Another question asked to participants is when they started to use Internet and started to spend money for it. According to these answers M1, M3, M5, W4 and W5 using Internet and by technology for 15-20 years. It was a basic when question but some participant needed to explain why. For example, M1 explain why he buy Internet and technology with “I should keep up with my students” words. Another reason determined by participant is children.

In this study when you began to spend money for Internet and technology question is followed by “Why did you spend money and time to reach Internet?” question. Most often used words or phrases to answer why question are knowledge, getting information, finding friends, to make life easier, being like everyone, our children demand, I love technology.

In this study when you began to spend money for Internet and technology question is followed by “Why did you spend money and time to reach Internet?” question. Most often used words or phrases to answer why question are knowledge, getting information, finding friends, to make life easier, being like everyone, our children demand, I love technology.

Analyzes on 12 participants are show that 38% of them have smartphone (10 participants), 35% of them have desktop computer, 15% of participants have tablet and 12% of them have Laptop computer.

Another question is which social media sites or applications are used by you. According to their answers M6 have 5 different accounts for five different social media sites. These are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube. 5 of 12 participants have three accounts. Four participants’, W1, W3, W4 and M4, accounts have belonged to Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. One of them, M1, is using twitter insist of Instagram. Most popular social network site is Facebook according to this generation. Second popular site is WhatsApp. Third one is Instagram. Twitter is using by only two participants and they are men.

Facebook is most popular social network site for digital migrants. We tried to learn their opinions about Facebook. According to their explanations finding old friends is most popular specialties of Facebook. Second one is learning interesting things.

When we met Internet, in a short time we began to compare people according to using ability to new technology. One of these comparisons is digital nomads and digital migrants. It has still exist. We also add that conflict of generations. We asked Silver Surfers “what you think about youth’s Internet using” and we want them to explain their ideas under two different title. First title explains positive observations and second one is negative observation.

Participant chose these words or phrases to tell their positive observation about youth’s Internet using: skills, following developments, learn very fast,

Participant chose these words or phrases to tell their negative observation about youth’s Internet using: messaging and gaming waste their time, they can believe everything,

The last question of the study asked to participant is “Could you please evaluate your position against Internet and its technology?” Their answers show that they find themselves inadequate.

References