A new AGE-WELL poll conducted by Environics Research in July 2020 shows that two-thirds (65%) of Canadians aged 65 and older now own a smartphone, compared to 58% in 2019, and most who own one (83%) use it daily.
During the
pandemic, seniors have increased their use of video calls to communicate with
family and friends. About a quarter (23%) of Canadians 65+ now use
video-calling on their smartphones, twice as many as in 2019; 6 in 10 of whom
report increased use due to COVID-19.
When it comes
to social media, so popular with a younger demographic, older adults are
populating the platforms too. Over one-third (37%) say they use social media to
communicate with family and friends (of whom 4 out of 10 reports utilizing it
more as a mode of communication due to COVID-19). Compared to 2019, they are
more present on YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook (which 68% now use,
up from 63% in 2019).
And with many
seniors staying at home more during COVID-19, two in 10 (19%) of Canadians 65+
are using online shopping for essential items, like groceries, for “health,
wellness and/or independence” (of whom 6 in 10 reports utilizing it more due to
COVID-19).
The survey
results show that 72% of Canadians aged 65 and over feel confident using
current technology. How about you? Confident?
If you are a Baby
Boomer, when you view the statistics, there is no surprise, we know we are not
technophobic. Most of us are unfazed by technology, and they are using a lot of
it during these challenging times,” I am seeing many of my friends and other older
adults using more technology, and COVID-19 was clearly a catalyst that is
taking tech use to a new level.
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