Information and communication technologies (ICT) offer great opportunities but also impose new challenges, especially for older persons who report higher difficulties in learning new technologies. Regarding training, self-efficacy can be expected as crucial to overcome barriers regarding adoption and efficient use. According to Bandura, the most influential sources of self-efficacy are mastery and vicarious experience. The present study examines the role of ICT specific self-efficacy, the influence of experience and the impact of breadth of web use. 130 ICT novices, aged 52–96 years (M=69.6) participating in ICT classes (computer, smartphone, tablet) completed a respective questionnaire. Mastery experience was operationalized by questions about succeeding ICT tasks during the course, whilst observations of the teacher and participants referred to vicarious experience. Hierarchical regression analysis supports the influence of ICT related self-efficacy on competent technology use as well breadth of web activities. Results are discussed in the context of the technology acceptance model.

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