Pew Research Center: Senior Citizens and Digital Technology

There is really interesting information by the Pew Research Center on  Senior Citizens and Digital Technology.  There is a slideshow that gives a variety of figures.

I found it very surprising that according to the research it says that "50% of older Americans are internet users."

People age 75 and older:
40% are using the internet,
82% are using e-mail
61% use search engines
74% use the internet for maps or directions
61% use the internet for hobby or interest
49% use the internet for health information
54% use the internet for weather
47% use the internet for fun
45% use the internet for news
27% use the internet for video sharing
47% use the internet for buying products

People ages 66-74:
67% are using the internet
88% are using e-mail
88% use search engines
77% use the internet for maps or directions
68% use the internet for hobby or interest
63% use the internet for health information
84% use the internet for weather
59% use the internet for fun
66% use the internet for news
34% use the internet for video sharing
57% use the internet for buying products

I like facts and figures so this PowerPoint is really interesting. I really suggest vising the page and seeing the charts. It also covers use of other devices like smartphones. 3% of people age 75 and over have smart phones and 12% of people ages 66-74 use them. It also breaks down percentages of people using various forms of social media.


Source:
Rainie, L. (2012). Senior citizens and digital technology [slides]. Retrieved from Pew Research Center website: http://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2012/Sep/Senior-Citizens-and-Digital-Technology.aspx