{"id":94389,"date":"2014-04-03T09:41:21","date_gmt":"2014-04-03T14:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2014\/04\/03\/older-adults-and-technology-use\/"},"modified":"2024-04-14T04:18:33","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T09:18:33","slug":"older-adults-and-technology-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2014\/04\/03\/older-adults-and-technology-use\/","title":{"rendered":"Older Adults and Technology Use"},"content":{"rendered":"

Main Findings<\/h2>\n\n
\"Seniors<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

America\u2019s seniors have historically been late adopters to the world of technology compared to their younger compatriots, but their movement into digital life continues to deepen, according to newly released data from the Pew Research Center. In this report, we take advantage of a particularly large survey to conduct a unique exploration not only of technology use between Americans ages 65 or older and the rest of the population, but within<\/i> the senior population as well.<\/p>\n\n

Two different groups of older Americans emerge. The first group (which leans toward younger, more highly educated, or more affluent seniors) has relatively substantial technology assets, and also has a positive view toward the benefits of online platforms. The other (which tends to be older and less affluent, often with significant challenges with health or disability) is largely disconnected from the world of digital tools and services, both physically and psychologically.<\/p>\n\n

As the internet plays an increasingly central role in connecting Americans of all ages to news and information, government services, health resources, and opportunities for social support, these divisions are noteworthy\u2014particularly for the many organizations and individual caregivers who serve the older adult population. Among the key findings of this research:<\/p>\n\n

Six in ten seniors now go online, and just under half are broadband adopters<\/h4>\n\n
\"Technology<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

In April 2012 the Pew Research Center found for the first time that more than half of older adults<\/a> (defined as those ages 65 or older) were internet users. Today, 59% of seniors report they go online\u2014a six-percentage point increase in the course of a year\u2014and 47% say they have a high-speed broadband connection at home. In addition, 77% of older adults have a cell phone, up from 69% in April 2012.<\/p>\n\n

But despite these gains, seniors continue to lag behind younger Americans when it comes to tech adoption. And many seniors remain largely unattached from online and mobile life\u201441% do not use the internet at all, 53% do not have broadband access at home, and 23% do not use cell phones.<\/p>\n\n

Younger, higher-income, and more highly educated seniors use the internet and broadband at rates approaching\u2014or even exceeding\u2014the general population; internet use and broadband adoption each drop off dramatically around age 75<\/h4>\n\n
\"Among<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

Seniors, like any other demographic group, are not monolithic, and there are important distinctions in their tech adoption patterns, beginning with age itself. Internet use and broadband adoption among seniors each fall off notably starting at approximately age 75. Some 68% of Americans in their early 70s go online, and 55% have broadband at home. By contrast, internet adoption falls to 47% and broadband adoption falls to 34% among 75-79 year olds.<\/p>\n\n

In addition, affluent and well-educated seniors adopt the internet and broadband at substantially higher rates than those with lower levels of income and educational attainment:<\/p>\n\n