Short Tutorial/FAQ – Are More Seniors Using Tech?

Question: Is the gap closing in tech usage between young people and senior citizens?

Answer: Yes, the use of the internet and consumer tech among older Americans is rising, closing the gap between them and younger adults.

Fully 95% of adults in the U.S. reported using the internet as of last year, up from 90% in 2019, according to a study from the Pew Research Center. Internet use is unsurprisingly almost universal among younger age groups, but that's also the case for the 50-64 age group and increasingly so for adults ages 65 and older.

Internet usage remained constant among the 50-64 bracket in 2023 relative to 2021 (96% each), though up from 88% in 2019. However, it's the oldest age group that has made the biggest strides in internet usage: Fully 88% in the latest Pew Research Center survey said they use the internet, up markedly from 75% in 2021 and 73% in 2019.

AARP's 2023 Tech Trends and Adults 50+ shows that over the past four years, older adults have made technology an integral part of their lives, with 78% using it frequently to connect with loved ones — 94% text, 88% email, 74% are on social media, and 67% video chat. The survey also finds 86% own a smartphone, 70% have a smart TV, 59% use a tablet, 31% have a home assistant, 28% own a wearable device, and 24% have a smart home-tech device.