Tue, 21 December 2021 | boomers technology
Technology use by people over 50 has skyrocketed during the pandemic, according to a new report from AARP Tech Trends, and these new habits and behaviors are likely to continue. In addition, AARP found the majority of respondents (70%) purchased technology in the past year, and today their costs are much higher than in 2019 - $ 821 now compared to $ 394 then. Smartphones and their accessories, and Bluetooth headsets were at the top of the shopping list, but smart home technology was also key to them.
Unsurprisingly, the use of technology made social connections easier during the pandemic. The level of dependence on social media technology is consistently high in all age groups: 76% of people aged 50, 79% of people over 60 and 72% of people over 70 consider technology to be their connection to their families and the rest of the world. ... “The pandemic has changed boundaries: technology has gone from being a welcome element to a necessity for Americans in their 50s, and their new habits will continue,” said Alison Bryant, AARP's senior vice president of research.
“Those who can afford the technology are spending a lot more than they did a few years ago, more than double what they spent in 2019. And their motives differ: some use technology for work, others to stay in touch with family and friends, and others to allow or help them grow old on the spot. At the same time, we are also aware of the digital divide, where lack of access can also mean inability to access technology and its benefits. "
Older people continue to incorporate technology into their lives. Some of the technological behaviors that emerged during the pandemic appear to persist, such as video chatting, online shopping, ordering groceries, banking and healthcare, with older people making more online purchases and financial transactions than in previous years. Over the past two years, the number of seniors using a home assistant and wearable devices has doubled. Research shows that learning to use and control smart home technologies is a major interest for people over 50. Smartphones continue to find new ways to manage their daily life and entertainment.
This year, a third of seniors ordered food at a restaurant and one in four listened to podcasts on their smartphones. Health innovations and everyday items that automatically track health indicators are also of great interest.
However, 42% of seniors believe this technology was not designed for them. About 30% of seniors use technology for personal hobbies, mainly through video content. Streaming content continues to grow, with most subscribing to an average of three platforms.
Source: AARP