Boomers, Seniors Feel Tech Companies Talk Down to them

Baby Boomers and Seniors Feel Technology Companies Talk Down to them

Nearly half (49%) of Kiwi’s over 50 feel patronized by technology companies according to the results of the latest study by AVG Technologies. AVG surveyed almost six thousand people over the age of 50 about their technology habits and opinions as part of the “Boomer Survey” results to be announced today.

The research also highlighted some interesting points about New Zealand baby boomer’s attitudes towards technology, including:

• 29% of Kiwi Baby Boomers spend more time communicating with their grandchildren online than they do offline (the highest of all countries)

• Unlike younger generations, the most owned/used device amongst those over 50’s is a camera (83%) compared to the relatively low usage of smartphones at 48%

• The most predominantly used apps are banking/financial at 62%, followed by social apps at 54%

• 88% agree that technology has improved their ability to communicate with family and friends

• More than a quarter of respondents (27%) find it easy to keep up with/use the latest technology

• But 9% said that technology makes them feel vulnerable and 14% worry about doing something wrong online and embarrassing themselves

• 40% of NZ Baby Boomers are concerned about remembering passwords, more than any other country surveyed.

When it comes to technology usage in general 21% describe themselves as novices, 72% as average users and 8% as expert users.

Digital Legacy

• A quarter of kiwi baby boomers have learned about a family members/friend’s passing on a social website

• Of these, 45% would have preferred to have been told personally

Grandchildren

• Surprisingly Baby boomers are more likely to ask friends (43%) for advice rather than children (34%) or grandchildren (13%)

• When it comes to passing advice on to their grandkids, the most common was to not share too much information online (48%), followed by to tell their parents or grandparents if anything upsetting happens online (45%).

• And importantly, to remember that everything they post online will be there forever (34%)

Please find the full New Zealand results from the survey attached.

Boomer_Research_Country_splits.xlsx

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