Seven in 10 Americans ages 50 and older own a smartphone, reveals the AARP in a report [PDF]. That includes a majority (55%) of adults ages 70 and up, a considerably higher figure than previously found by the Pew Research Center. Laptop (62%) and desktop (61%) ownership is also prevalent in the 50+ market, while more than 4 in 10 (43%) own tablets, per the AARP’s study.
Previous data from Adobe indicates that most online adults ages 50 and older feel that they’re at least moderately digital-savvy.
The AARP report demonstrates that surfing the web is the top activity performed on desktops and laptops, by 81% of their 50+ owners. Roughly three-quarters of desktop and laptop owners in this demographic make purchases on their devices, while a majority (65%) also perform banking or financial transactions. Close to 6 in 10 access social networking sites on their desktops and laptops, but fewer engage in online learning (34%) and manage or receive medical care (32%).
Adults in their 50s and 60s are more likely to perform a range of activities on their desktops and laptops than those 70 and up. Such activities include leading ones such as surfing the web and making purchases, but also extend to comparative shopping and watching videos or shows. In fact, while around half of computer users in their 50s and 60s watch digital video, fewer than one-third of owners ages 70 and up do so. Read the rest at MarketingCharts.com.
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