Topics in Health Informatics: Technology Users Across the Lifespan

The use of information and communication technologies varies across the lifespan. Different age groups differ not only in the platforms and content they engage with, but also in their goals, psychological characteristics, and digital literacies. Questions about technology's effects on different age groups are central to both scholarly research and policymaking (e.g., debates over banning smartphones in schools). This course surveys the broad landscape of research on the use of technology across the lifespan, bridging disciplinary perspectives and topics. In doing so, we will integrate theoretical perspectives on human development to understand how users of different ages experience different technologies. Through discussions and projects, students will analyze research findings, apply theories to real-world use cases, and develop technology design or policy proposals tailored to specific age groups.