---
"title": "Older Americans Increasingly Sign Online"
"description": "The percentage of those ages 70 to 75 using the internet has nearly doubled, from 26% in 2005 to 46% in 2008."
"date": "2009-03-09"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Russell Heimlich"
    "job_title": "Former web developer"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/short-reads/2009/03/09/older-americans-increasingly-sign-online/"
"categories":
  - "Comparison of Generations"
---

# Older Americans Increasingly Sign Online

While young people still dominate the online population, by far the fastest growing age group online includes those ages 70 to 75. While only 26% of this age group used the internet just four years ago, currently 45% go online. This is still less than half of the online population of those ages 12 to 17 (93%). As has been the case for younger age groups, these numbers probably will level off as time goes on. While younger generations have seen a decrease in email use — as they increasingly use instant messaging and social networks — it remains the most popular internet activity for those ages 64 and older. Researching health and religious information is also more popular for older internet users. [Read More](https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/pubs/1093/generations-online)