The advent of technology, particularly the internet, has revolutionized almost every sector. Today, the world wide web has become an integral part of everyday life to the tune that many people now believe they cannot do without it. However, all age groups didn’t adopt its use at the same rate. It was readily embraced by teenagers and young adults, but the elderly showed a lower adoption rate.
For them, technology, especially the internet, came along when they were already set in their ways. The truth is that a considerable percentage of the older generation used to feel that they could not grasp the rigors associated with using the world wide web. That has changed. Many senior citizens now use the web every day.
Factually, over 70% of internet users over the golden age of 65 make use of the world wide web on a daily basis. In the same vein, citizens between the ages of 50 and 70 spend at least 27 hours of their lives surfing the net every week.
If you take a look at the highly informative infographic below that we discovered at MedAlertHelp, you’ll be able to find a lot more surprising statistics just like these ones.
It looks like many senior citizens have come to the conclusion that the internet is just too important to overlook. Of course, you need no telling that it is a treasure trove of critical information. The same applies to the elderly in today's society. 78% of internet users aged sixty and above say that they make use of it because it allows them to get information on personal interests. 60% of the elderly use it to remain updated on political issues as well as local economic and political policies. 33% have concluded that it is the most trusted and accessible source of information and are using it for that purpose.
It turns out that the online needs of the elderly are not so different from that of the younger generation. Chief among the activities they use it for include:
- Checking the news and weather
- Carrying out online shopping
- Communicating with friends and family
- Staying educated on health issues
- Carrying out banking and financial activities
- Using a social networking site
- Checking and sending emails
- Watching videos online
It is important to note that there are still some senior citizens that have not caught the internet bug. The infographic below explores the reasons for this in detail, but we will touch on it briefly.
Education and financial strength are two factors that play a part in a senior citizen's predisposition to the internet. The wealthier and more educated a senior citizen is, the more likely they are to make use of the world wide web. Also, the higher the income rate of a senior citizen, the higher the rate at which they go online.
Other factors such as computer literacy and physical health also play a part in a senior citizen's use of the web. That is, some have health challenges that prevent them from using the internet. Others just aren’t literate enough to make use of the world wide web. Factually, around 2 in 5 seniors have a health condition that prevents them from participating in common daily activities.
The infographic below is created to help you understand the exciting relationship between senior citizens and the internet.
Alex Slichnyi, community manager at Btcman.io, is an avid learner of all things IT. He is a savvy SEO specialist who loves traveling because it allows him to experience hands-on the many facets of life. This hands-on approach can be seen in his work, which is meticulously crafted with daring vision by an open, yet methodical mind that likes to probe, test and improve. Communicating and learning are Alex’s core values that drive him forward.
