Seems that not only are senior citizens age 65 and older one of the fastest growing segments of the American population but they represent the fastest growing segment of users in many Internet categories as well. If you’ve been wondering – ‘Do senior citizens use Internet’ check these numbers out from a 2012 Pew study on older adults and Internet use.
Senior Citizen Internet Usage Statistics
- 53% of American males 65 or older use the Internet or email
- 34% of Internet users 65 and older use social networking sites like Facebook
- 86% of Internet users 65 and older use email, with 48% doing so on a typical day
- 69% of adults 65 and older have a mobile phone
Traditionally there as been very growth among Internet user 65 and older. But as of April 2012 53% of American adults age 65 and older use the internet or email. Senior citizens are still less likely to go online than other age groups, but this is the first time that half of them are using the Internet. This is very significant for marketers targeting older Americans.
Though seniors are using social media more often, my 74 year old mother uses Facebook daily now, the best way to reach them is through email. 86% of internet users age 65 and older use email, with 48% doing so on a typical day.
Senior Citizens Social Media Usage
Bewteen 2010 and 2012 while working as a loan officer for Wells Fargo and MetLife I closed more than 60 loans for senior citizens who found me via an internet search, and completed a web form requesting contact. At least 3 of the transactions, the majority of communication was conducted primarily by email.
