In technological use, older adults compete with their younger counterparts
Young adults have no corner on the technology market – far from it. A new AARP survey reveals that older Americans are about as likely than those under the age of 50 to have a smartphone, tablet or other device.
According to the national survey, almost nine out of 10 Americans (89% of these 50 and over 90% of these 18 to 49 years) have a smartphone. TV and 59% clean tablets.
In particular, as overall technology expenses increased from $ 912 per person in 2022 to $ 798 in 2023, technology purchases by adults in sixties and the 1970s increased. In the past year, 69% of adults over 50 bought at least one technological product.
Subsequent adoption
Regarding new technology, most of the elderly prefer a waiting approach and to see (67%). Confidence in their digital literacy is lower among older age groups. While 72% of adults aged 50 to 59 say they have the digital skills necessary to take full advantage of being online, 61% among these 70s feel the same thing.
In addition to the overall increase in technological use, the confidence of the elderly in the industry to meet their needs has improved slightly in the past year. In 2023, 64% of more than 50 adults said that technology was not designed with their age group in mind, compared to 68% in 2022.
Intelligent home and house devices
Many Americans say they want to stay at home as they age, although the use of intelligent house devices to help allow who remains relatively flat.
About 33% of respondents use safety devices and 32% use Wi-Fi extensible in their homes. Almost half (46%) of the elderly indicated that they were aware of intelligent households for lighting and devices connected to Wi-Fi which can be used remotely, but 47% were not interested to buy them.
Some respondents simply say that they do not need (20%) or are not interested (11%) in intelligent home devices. Others say that they are too expensive, do not trust them or simply prefer more old -fashioned methods to secure their homes.
Aware, but skeptical with regard to generating AI
The news that made the headlines on artificial intelligence aroused the interest of the elderly. Eighty-five percent of Americans aged 50 and over have heard of the generative AI, 31% are enthusiastic about advantages and 11% think that it could improve their digital security.
However, 60% of respondents say that they are undecided as for its impact and that 9% do not report using a generative AI. Their hesitation could be linked to concerns about online scams. Almost three -quarters of older Americans say they were the target of cybercrime, 19% were victims and 43% know someone who was a victim.
Value in health and well-being technology
Elderly people are increasingly recognizing the role that technology can play to allow healthy life, especially among those over 70 years of age.
For the elderly with health problems and their caregivers, technological devices and digital services can be beneficial – if they use them at their full potential. While 69% of adults over 50 have one or more chronic or serious health problems, only 13% are currently taking advantage of technology to manage their situation. About a fifth is aware and interested in the use of technology; Less than half (42%) are aware of technologies but are not interested.
Caregivers over 50 are also lacking the benefits of health and well-being health. The AARP found that 54% of caregivers use digital medical services, 25% are committed to monitoring health and fitness for themselves, 15% use telemedicine and 11% benefit from mental health services and digital well-being.
Streaming eats in the use of cable
It is clear that, like their younger counterparts, older adults migrate to less traditional platforms. Streaming among the over 50s increased from 64% in 2019 to 86% in 2023, those over 70 showing the highest increase. During the same period, the cable hearing increased from 58% to 32% for older Americans.
Netflix (62%) and Amazon Prime Video (61%) are the most popular streaming platforms. Beyond these entertainment options, most older Americans (70%) like Facebook and 51% frequent YouTube, while WhatsApp widened its audience with a leap in use of 16% in 2022 to 20% in 2023 .
Methodology
The results come from an online survey of 3,229 American adults carried out in September and October 2023. The national sample was balanced by demography to be representative of adults by generation and was proposed in English and Spanish.
For more information, please contact Brittne Kakulla at bkakulla@aarp.org. For media requests, contact external relations at media@aarp.org.