A Taxonomy for Understanding the Disuse of Technology by Older Adults: A Qualitative Analysis of Disuse of Smart Speakers

Abstract

Objective

This study examines the disuse of technology among older adults and develops a taxonomy to categorize various forms of disuse.

Background

Understanding the prevalence and factors contributing to disuse is challenging due to the varying terminology and lack of a standard classification. This lack of clarity makes it difficult to understand the reasons for the disuse of technology, especially when studying the use of emerging assistive technology among older adults. This is problematic, as these emerging technologies offer numerous benefits, but many adults struggle to incorporate them into their daily lives, resulting in disuse.

Method

We analyzed open-ended survey responses from 78 older adults who had purchased but subsequently disused a smart speaker. We employed a reflexive thematic analysis to identify themes related to the disuse of technology.

Results

Two overarching themes were identified. The first, “Interests and Purchase Influences,” captured the initial reasons for adoption, ranging from general curiosity to meeting specific needs. The second, “Misalignment with Needs and Expectations,” encompassed four subthemes: disspointment, lack of relevance, perceived risks, and impact on independence, which collectively explained why participants ultimately stopped using the device.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate how varied experiences with the same technology result in distinct disuse trajectories, highlighting the gap between adoption and disuse research. Clarifying these patterns strengthens the disuse taxonomy and lays the groundwork for future studies to quantify their impact.