The role of internet as daily communication medium between others of elderly people in an urban city

随着越来越多的老年人使用互联网，他们的社会活动和关系预计也将发生巨大变化。本研究旨在探讨城市老年人在日常生活和交往中对互联网的看法，主要结果如下：（1）超过10%的非亲属他人是他们只知道名字的人，因为他们是“通过爱好或休闲活动”和“（前）同事”，（2）通过电子邮件与非亲属他人的互动可能是肤浅的，仅限于陪伴，有一些工具或情感支持，（3）他们利用互联网“维持和加强现有的关系”（例如与子女和朋友），并“承认自己的思想和知识”。由于受访者认识到自己的衰老，他们在第三人生的互联网中看到了“展望老年的潜力”。

As an increasing number of older people use the Internet, their social activities and relationships are also expected to change dramatically. This study aimed to examine how the urban seniors regard the Internet in their activities and communication.The major findings were as follows: (1) more than 10% of non-kin others were whom they knew only names because they were "mates through hobbies or leisure activities" and "(former) colleagues at their work", (2) the interactions by e-mail with non-kin others were likely to be superficial and limited to companionship, and there were a few instrumental or emotional support, and (3) they use the Internet to "maintain and strengthen the existing relationships" (e.g. children and friends), and to "acknowledge their own thoughts and knowledge". As the respondents recognize their own aging, they see the "potential which looks ahead to the old age" in the Internet in third life.