THE MOST common stereotype regarding seniors and technology is that they’re being ‘left behind’ with the huge wave of advancements, particularly in the last ten years.
But a recent report titled ‘Senior Surfers’ from National Seniors Australia challenges this stereotype.
An online survey of more than 4,500 citizens aged over 50 found that 70 percent use an internet search engine everyday, 40 percent use Facebook everyday (including about 20 percent of those aged 80+), 63 percent don’t feel technology is designed for younger generations and around 68 percent don’t feel frustrated using new technology.
National Seniors CEO, Professor John McCallum says the latest survey challenges negative stereotypes about older Australians and technology.
“There are just too many blanket statements that are very negative about older people’s skills, such as ‘they’re behind the times’, ‘they’re digitally illiterate’ or ‘there’s a digital divide between young and old,’” Professor McCallum said.
Approximately 31.4 percent of those surveyed regarded themselves as ‘Super Surfers’ – someone very comfortable using digital technology in their everyday lives. According to the statistics, ‘Super Surfers’ are more likely to be women and are also more likely to have children, be in good health and are often still participating in the workforce.
