EFFECTIVENESS OF DIGITAL COMPETENCIES ON DIGITAL COMMUNICATION ATTITUDE AMONG ELDERLY PEOPLE IN ISOLO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

Abstract

As technology permeates daily life activities, older adults in Isolo struggle to keep up. Progressing without them, many still find it difficult to join basic online conversations platforms. The descriptive survey design approach framework was adopted in this study to examine the influence of digital competencies on digital communication attitudes of older residents in Isolo Local Government Area. The research made use of cluster and simple random sampling techniques to select 250 respondents aged 60 and above participants included. A deeper dive reveals that device handling influences participants' feelings of staying connected in a consistent manner. Two hundred and fifty people over the age of sixty years from a variety of neighbourhoods shared their experiences first-hand. To avoid guesswork, questionnaires were used to gather responses, which were developed for this study context. The numerical data were converted into clear patterns of habits and feelings using SPSS 25.0. While the majority of participants have a gadget, more than 58 percent said they have some kind of digital tool, and one-third still have trouble getting reliable web access at all times. As participants become more comfortable with technology, they become more social and their confidence increases with their skill. However, there are still major challenges as ageing bodies make screens difficult to see or hear, confusion about devices persists and mobile data costs exclude many users. Training developed with specific needs in mind? More than 6 out of 10 said it just doesn't exist where they are. Older adults see technology as a way to maintain social connections with family and friends or to monitor health care needs. Sometimes it's a matter of cost, and cheaper internet service can help.

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