Technology Engagement Across the Life Course: Insights from Lived Experiences

This qualitative study introduces the concept of technology anchors—lasting influences from formative technology experiences—to explain long-term digital engagement among older adults. As digital disparities deepen, understanding why some older adults resist while others adapt to new technologies is increasingly critical. Using a narrative analysis of adults aged 60–70, the study identifies four distinct anchor profiles: Technophobes, Wearisome Adopters, Cautious Pragmatists, and Technologically Competent users. These profiles show how early interactions with technology leave enduring psychological imprints that shape present-day confidence, identity, and vulnerability to technostress. By foregrounding lived history, the findings demonstrate that digital engagement is not a static behavior but a dynamic trajectory shaped by accumulated life experiences. The paper offers initial theoretical and practical insights for fostering more inclusive digital futures.