The internet as a resource in older adult's leisure

This article aims to review the existing knowledge regarding older adults' leisure, to explore what is currently known regarding elders' use of the internet, and to outline directions for future research that will further explore the internet's role as a resource in older adults' leisure. Using mostly a literature review approach, the article answers five key questions: What is leisure? What are the unique characteristics of leisure in later life? How can the Internet serve as a resource in older adults' leisure? What do we know about older adults' use of the Internet? And what is yet to be learned? Without a doubt, the technological advances of the recent decade have a potential for changing communication patterns among seniors as well as between seniors and other cohorts. As this trend is relatively new, research on the subject is rather undeveloped, and many questions still remain to be answered. Future research should not only examine descriptive patterns of this phenomenon but also look at issues that may lead to empowering older adults and enhancing their well-being.