[Libs-Or] New Pew Internet Report: Older Adults and Technology Use

Thu Apr 3 08:57:08 PDT 2014

Here’s another excellent report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project on “Older Adults and Technology Use”

Main Findings:
America’s 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 the senior population as well.

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.

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—particularly for the many organizations and individual caregivers who serve the older adult population.

Complete report (PDF):
http://www.pewinternet.org/files/2014/04/PIP_Seniors-and-Tech-Use_040314.pdf

Additional information:
http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/03/older-adults-and-technology-use

Brief Summary: see below

Cheers,
Darci

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darci Hanning * Technology Development Consultant * Library Development Services
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR  97301
503-378-2527 darci.hanning at state.or.us<mailto:darci.hanning at state.or.us>

From: Pew Internet & American Life Project [mailto:info=pewinternet.org at mail55.wdc01.mcdlv.net] On Behalf Of Pew Internet & American Life Project
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2014 7:27 AM
To: Darci Hanning
Subject: New Report: Older Adults and Technology Use

Adoption is increasing, but many seniors remain isolated from digital life

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Older Adults and Technology Use<http://pewinternet.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=434f5d1199912232d416897e4&id=1bdad8123e&e=c13fcaf634>

<http://pewinternet.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=434f5d1199912232d416897e4&id=78b025c96f&e=c13fcaf634>[Seniors and internet adoption]<http://pewinternet.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=434f5d1199912232d416897e4&id=78b025c96f&e=c13fcaf634><http://pewinternet.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=434f5d1199912232d416897e4&id=78b025c96f&e=c13fcaf634>Overall, technology adoption among seniors has been increasing slowly but surely. Today, three quarters of seniors have a cell phone, six in ten use the internet, and almost half have broadband at home. Those still trail the national average, but they have been steadily increasing since we began tracking these metrics way back in 2000.

But we also found that the senior population is far from homogeneous—there are two distinct “camps” within the older adult population when it comes to technology use:

1) The first group of seniors is fairly plugged in—they own a fair number of technology assets, have integrated these tools into their lives, and view that connectivity as a positive thing. This group is relatively young, educated, affluent.

2) The other camp is largely disconnected from the digital world. They don’t use technology to any great degree, they would not feel comfortable learning how on their own, and in many cases they don’t feel like they are missing out on too much. This group is both older and less affluent, and they often have significant health or disability issues that make it challenging for them to use technology.

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