A university research team studied how older adults react when businesses use QR codes for menus and services. The team interviewed people ages 60 to 82 in short, semi-structured talks and asked about ease of use, feelings, and ideas for improvement.
Participants described mixed experiences. Many had trouble scanning because of glare, poor placement, or small font sizes, and these problems caused extra mental effort and frustration. Others said well-designed QR codes made interactions smooth and made them more likely to return. The researchers also surveyed hundreds of people 60 and over online and found that easy QR codes reduce effort and frustration. Businesses should keep printed materials and consider older customers.
Difficult words
- semi-structured — a talk with some fixed and some open questions
- glare — bright light that makes reading difficult
- placement — where something is put or positioned
- frustration — feeling of anger or stress when tasks fail
- interactions — times when people communicate or use a service
- effort — mental or physical work to do a task
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you used a QR code in a shop or restaurant? Was it easy or hard?
- What can businesses change to make QR codes easier for older customers?
- Do you prefer a printed menu or a QR code? Why?
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