Record numbers of older people are embracing social media
The findings from Ofcom’s annual Adults’ Media Use and Attitudes report[2] are out and it looks like record numbers of older people are embracing smart and social technology, with a quarter of over-75s using tablet computers.
This year’s report shows striking growth in older people’s use of technology between 2015 and 2016. Baby boomers aged 65-74 are increasingly connected, with four in ten (39%) using a smartphone, up 11 percentage points in a year.[3]
There has been a sharp rise in over-75s using tablets, from 15% to 27%. And the use of smartphones among this age group has nearly doubled, from 8% to 15%.[4]
Nearly half (48%) of internet users aged 65-74 now have a social media profile. Among over 75s, the proportion with a profile has nearly doubled – from 19% to 41%.
Around nine in ten (87%) social seniors aged over 65 opt for a Facebook account, but a smaller proportion use WhatsApp (6%) and Instagram (1%).[5]
But while 44% of over-75s go online, more than half do not, and most of these (86%) have no plans to do so.[6]
Simon Hayler, Director of GHM Care says: “The findings highlight how important good internet and WiFi access is becoming for care home residents. Care Home WiFi is typically patchy and not focused on the resident but our customers are really turning that around with our specialist WiFi for care homes.
“They are not only able to guarantee coverage across the entire care home, enabling residents to benefit from free and fast internet access, but also integrate some really state of the art care home technology and care apps through the same WiFi network.”