People over 65 are turning to technology in record numbers

Old people are wise, but only about things like World War II and how to fold a fitted sheet. They are certainly NOT as savvy about technology or how to use it. Nana’s and Papa’s have always avoided “the emails” (which is what my mom calls the entire internet) until now. They rely on technology to see their grandchildren, and to quietly criticize your parenting methods.

So how are seniors doing it*? Well, just like your Grampy says about the Vietnam war, “we did what we had to do.” They are lacing up their New Balance and marching ahead, but since the malls are closed they’re walking to (and probably around) their computers at 4:45 every morning instead. 67% of people age 65 and older are using the internet, 42% of them own smartphones, and 100% of them feel “hip” about it. The 65+ demographic is one of the world’s fastest growing markets with over 600 million people today and projected to hit a full billion by 2030. That’s a lotta Pall Mall cigarettes and ribbon candy!

They are committed to buying and using lots of technology so they can get Facebook, Instagram, FaceTime, Zoom-all the things we can no longer live without.

Many elders are buying these “grandpads” to do everything from reading to their grandchildren to buying shit like this for their houses. There are even specific phones marketed to seniors.

They are also figuring out their smartphones with the help of books like this. (Warning: they will then use these phones to call you while they are in the car reading the directions that they printed out from Mapquest. Still beats having to set up ANY remote for them.)

But old people deserve to talk to their grandkids. They deserve to grow their crops on Farmville and stalk their high school crush on Facebook. They deserve to dance as if no one is watching on TikTok and have the opportunity to ruin a zoom improv class with an ill-advised racist joke. They were in the war, dang it!

So to you Amazon sellers, don’t write off fitting the older generation into your business model. You might even consider modifications to existing products that can be marketed to this large demographic. And to you Grammy and Bumpa, Mimi and Scooter, Nona and Bam Bam-good luck out there.

*gross.

About the Author

Anne Krane

Anne Krane is a Boston based improviser, actor, and writer. But to make money, she teaches kids the alphabet and how to play the quiet game. She loves a good wood-wicked candle, utilizes the post office, and kills succulents with the best of them. When the world opens back up, you can see her performing at Improv Asylum, or come to her classroom if you’d like to learn to read.

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