Intergenerational Experiences around Older Persons’ Cell Phone Use in Formal Public Domains

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Abstract Formal intergenerational programming is a neglected aspect of social development in sub-Saharan Africa. This chapter describes interactional experiences between older and younger people around older persons’ cell phone use, situated within formal intergenerational activities in public domains. Qualitative data from older persons (responses to an open-ended question, 14 semi-structured interviews, and 22 focus groups), and from student fieldworkers (younger people unrelated to them) (135 written reflections and two focus groups (n = 25)), were analysed thematically. We found that, before the intergenerational activity, ambivalent perceptions and accompanying tensions were typical, indicating prejudice and intergroup differences on both sides. Participation in formal activities, however, brought mutually rewarding experiences, with expressions and satisfaction of needs (affirmation) and social goals (learning about cell phones). Intergenerational interactions are embedded in broader socio-economic and digital environments and informed by sociocultural norms. Although those in the private domain were not studied specifically, they emerged spontaneously and revealed ambivalence, tension and ineffective relational dynamics as well as supportive and optimal relations. Our intergenerational findings demonstrated that promoting older individuals’ optimal use of technology would require some form of formal intergenerational programming facilitated through effective interactions between older and younger people, which would also bring satisfying experiences to both groups.

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