Digital Immigrant

A person who grew up before the widespread adoption of digital technology and has had to learn digital skills later in life, as opposed to a digital native who grew up immersed in technology. In accessibility research, older adults are often characterized as digital immigrants who face emotional and practical barriers when engaging with digital interfaces — including feelings of intimidation, embarrassment, and discouragement. Research has shown that these emotional barriers can be as significant as technical accessibility issues, and that research methodologies and interface designs need to be sensitive to the distinct needs of users who are learning digital culture rather than having grown up with it.