Many young people think that most baby boomers still don’t know how to use a computer—but that’s miles away from the truth.
The infographic by MedAlertHelp you’ll find below shows that the three popular beliefs regarding seniors and their Internet usage are as false as the stereotypes young adults and millennials have about seniors. However, before you scroll down to the infographic, let’s do some myth debunking!
Baby Boomers Are Still Reluctant to Use the Internet
It’s true that compared to the general population, the elderly have been slow in adopting advanced technology. However, nowadays, this age group is more digitally connected than before. Namely, 70% of Internet users among baby boomers go online on a daily basis.
Baby Boomers Like to Stay Away From Social Media
Social Media has long been regarded as the realm of teen spirit. But guess what, our grandpas and grandmas have infiltrated that area. A survey reports that 49% of baby boomers use a social media site. While they have a sizeable presence on Twitter and Instagram, it is Facebook they love most, just like us (hmm, so much for the generation gap). It has been reported that 61% of people aged between 50 and 59 and 36% of baby boomers aged over 60 have a Facebook account.
Interestingly, seniors are 19% more likely to share content on the most popular social networking site than younger generations. This might well be down to them being more comfortable in their own skin, unlike young people who are more affected by peer pressure.
Baby Boomers Aren’t Having Much Fun on the Internet
You couldn’t be more wrong if you think this claim is valid. For sure our oldie-but-goodie folks know a thing or two about having a lovely time online. Reports reveal that 20% of people aged 60 and over watch videos on sites like YouTube, every day.
Also, a large number of Internet-savvy baby boomers play online games on a regular basis. It seems our old folks prefer brain games, like Solitaire, Chess, Sudoku, and Crosswords, more than adrenaline rush games so popular among young people.
Want to know more about technology adoption among baby boomers? Take a look at this infographic. We’re sure you’ll be surprised to find how well our seniors have warmed up to the Internet.
