How Internet Usage Is Related to Political Attitudes of Senior Citizens in Russia

The aim of this study was to find a relationship between the use of the Internet and political attitudes of Russian senior citizens. In order to achieve this goal, a definition was given to the generational group of senior Russians and its key sociological features were described; the scientific literature research on the relationship between political attitudes and the use of the Internet was conducted; a methodology for a sociological study of the relationship between political attitudes and the use of the Internet by senior Russians has been developed and hypotheses about the nature of this relationship have been put forward; an empirical analysis of the relationship between political attitudes and the use of the Internet by senior Russians is carried out, as well as a meaningful interpretation of the results obtained. The results obtained indicate the following: First, the use of the Internet is indeed related with political attitudes, and in such a way that the frequency of its use is negatively related to the likelihood of approval of the activities of the authorities. It is likely that among those older Russians who use the Internet more often than others, under the influence of the more pluralistic palette of views presented on the Internet, opposition attitudes are formed. Although the opposite effect is also possible, those Russians who use the Internet are not satisfied with the agenda broadcast on television, and they choose the Internet as their main source of information. Secondly, the theoretical models that explain the relationship between Internet use and political participation cannot be confirmed or refused. No relationship was found between these categories. Senior Russians are active participants in elections, however, the Internet is not a predictor of activity in this generational group. Thirdly, it is worth noting the financial situation as a significant predictor of electoral activity and approval of the authorities. The results we obtained in this study allow us to conclude that the economic model of attribution of political responsibility finds its confirmation in empirical data on older Russians. Apparently, the feeling of one's own material well-being forms more positive assessments of the authorities. In addition, women are more loyal to the authorities than men, and senior Russians are more likely to have a positive view of the authorities. The results of the study do not make it possible to draw unambiguous conclusions about the relationship between education and political attitudes.