Tracking Senior Citizens OnlineTracking Senior Citizens Online

By John Dawson

Who am I studyingWho am I studying

Seniors 65+ Seniors 65+

Madison Senior Center (Male and Female)Madison Senior Center (Male and Female)

Plentyoffish.com (Female)Plentyoffish.com (Female)

Comparisons Comparisons

Where I started Where I started

Madison Senior CenterMadison Senior Center

SurveySurvey

A composite of the seniors enrolled in their A composite of the seniors enrolled in their computer classes.computer classes.

How long online? For what purpose?How long online? For what purpose?

Inquiry and AssumptionsInquiry and Assumptions

Where is senior activity most prevalent online?Where is senior activity most prevalent online?

I thought:I thought: Many will not have used it at allMany will not have used it at all If they do, they will be focused on practical If they do, they will be focused on practical

issues or specialized needs (AARP, SS)issues or specialized needs (AARP, SS) These are wrong!These are wrong!

ResultsResults

Age Range: 65-85Age Range: 65-85

Years Online: Average of 8.1Years Online: Average of 8.1

Popular Sites: Craigslist, MySpace and NPRPopular Sites: Craigslist, MySpace and NPR

Plentyoffish.comPlentyoffish.com

Largest dating site in the world Largest dating site in the world

Study senior female dating habitsStudy senior female dating habits

Create a profile and interact (chat/email)Create a profile and interact (chat/email)

Some General DataSome General Data

55-6055-60

(365 Total Users)(365 Total Users)

65-7065-70

(93 Total Users)(93 Total Users)Seeking

0

50

100

150

200

Category

Number

Series1

Seeking

05

101520253035

CategoryNum

ber

Series1

Some More General DataSome More General Data

55-6055-60 65-7065-70

Race

Black

White

Hispanic

Indian

Middle Eastern

Native American

Asian

Mixed Race

Other Ethnicity

Race

Black

White

Hispanic

Indian

Middle Eastern

Native American

Asian

Mixed Race

Other Ethnicity

Social NormsSocial Norms

Adding to favorites listAdding to favorites list

Greetings are pleasant but shortGreetings are pleasant but short

Advice from other usersAdvice from other usersExperiences sharedExperiences shared

Ethics Ethics

Impersonation?Impersonation?

Leading people on?Leading people on?

How else could I gather info?How else could I gather info?

Methods (2 Effects)Methods (2 Effects)--Very Particular Group Very Particular Group –Very realistic dialogue –Very realistic dialogue

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

Is it ethical to pose as someone you are not for Is it ethical to pose as someone you are not for the sake of (more) realistic results in the sake of (more) realistic results in ethnographies? ethnographies?