Baby Boomers catching up to younger generation's technology skills
Wednesday 28 September 2011, 9:38AM
By GrownUps
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Baby Boomers are increasingly technologically savvy, according to a survey commissioned by leading 50+ community website, GrownUps.
More than a thousand Kiwi baby boomers revealed their technological habits in GrownUps annual online survey with results showing the only factor holding people back from using the internet more was a lack of free time, with nearly 50 per cent of respondents saying more free time would enable them to have greater use of the internet.
Results from the survey found 97 per cent of respondents are regular uses of social media sites, with 62 per cent of respondents saying they are active users of Facebook. YouTube was also popular among the over fifties, as well as Twitter.
Online shopping proved to be a popular use of the internet, with nearly 80 per cent of respondents saying they use the internet to buy products. As well as shopping online, 56 per cent of people also use the internet to research travel destinations and book overseas holidays.
Richard Poole, co-founder of GrownUps says the survey results indicate that Kiwis over fifty are one of the most technologically advanced groups, right up there with those in Generation Y.
“Contrary to popular opinion, Kiwi adults over fifty are actually very technologically conscious and utilise the internet for things like online shopping, social networking, banking and booking travel online, just like their children and grandchildren.
“GrownUps is New Zealand’s largest lifestyle website for the active 50+ crowd, so it is important for us to take the time to find out more about our members. This allows us to better tailor the information, news and entertainment on our website to ensure it meets their needs.
“The latest survey revealed some interesting results and it is great to know that that Kiwis who fit in the fifty plus age group are a rapidly-growing group of internet savvy New Zealanders,” says Mr Poole.
Of those surveyed, 93 per cent of people use broadband internet and nearly 60 per cent of these people use the internet between five and 20 hours per week.