The General Picture

The Pew Research Center began measuring internet adoption among Americans in 2000. Since then they have conducted 97 national surveys of adults that have documented how the internet has become an integral part of everyday society.

Here is a good look at the general American adult population using the internet:

American Adults Using the Internet from 2000-2015Year Percentage of American Adults2000 52%2001 55%2002 59%2003 61%2004 63%2005 68%2006 71%2007 74%2008 74%2009 76%2010 76%2011 79%2012 83%2013 84%2014 84%2015 84%

*Source: Pew Research Center 2015, Perrin and Duggan

Older adults have lagged in comparison to younger adults in their adoption to the internet, but as of 2015, a clear majority (58%) of senior citizens used the internet (Perrin and Duggan).

The age group of 18-29 who use the internet has “always outpaced overall adoption levels among older groups” (Perrin and Duggan 2015).

Although older adults still report at lower levels of internet use today, seniors compromise the greatest rate of change since 2000.

Here is a generalized view of internet usage from the years 2000-2015 by different adult age groups: *See also Graph 1 on attached Excel Sheet based on table below

Difference in Age Groups Using the Internet from 2000-2015

Year 18-29 30-49 50-64 65+

2000 70% 61% 46% 14%2001 72% 65% 50% 14%2002 76% 70% 54% 18%2003 78% 72% 56% 22%2004 77% 75% 61% 24%2005 83% 79% 66% 28%2006 86% 84% 70% 32%2007 89% 85% 71% 35%2008 89% 84% 72% 38%2009 92% 84% 75% 40%2010 92% 84% 74% 43%2011 94% 87% 77% 46%2012 96% 91% 79% 54%2013 97% 92% 81% 56%2014 97% 92% 81% 57%2015 96% 93% 81% 58%

*Source: Pew Research Center 2015, Perrin and Duggan

As you can see from the table above, it was not until 2012 did more than half of all adults ages 65 and older report using the internet. That age group is also the only group that underwent significant changes in percentage. The ages groups 18-29 and 30-49, were relatively consistent throughout the years and even saw a few consecutive years where there was no increase in percentage at all.

Data that was generated from an April 2012 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center indicated that 53% of American adults ages 65 and older used the internet or email (Zickher & Madden 2012). In fact, data that year represented the first time that half of seniors were going online.

o Overall, 82% of all American adults ages 18 and up said that they used the internet at least occasionally and 67% reported that they did so on a typical day. As for senior citizens, those 65 and older, 70% reported that they used the internet on a typical day. Those seniors who go online made the internet a regular part of their lives, making it a regular fixture (Zickher & Madden 2012).

Older adults face certain barriers and challenges when it comes to adopting to new technologies, and they are:

o Physical/ Health Conditions: Around two to five seniors indicate that they have health issues that interfere with reading or have a disability or handicap or chronic disease that prevents them from fully participating in common daily activities. This is the group that is less likely to go online. 49% of this group vs. the 66% that doesn’t go online have broadband at home, while 38% own digital devices (Smith 2014).

o Skeptical Attitudes: Older adults who did not currently use the internet were divided on whether the lack of access hurts them. Half of these non-users (49%) agreed that lacking internet access is a real disadvantage, because of the information they’re potentially missing. 25% strongly agreed. But 35% of older, non-internet users disagreed and 18% strongly disagreed (Smith 2014).

o Difficulties Learning How to Use New Technologies: There is a significant majority that report needing assistance when it comes to utilizing digital devices. Only 18% would feel comfortable learning devices, such as smartphones and tablets on their own. 77% reported that they need at least some assistance with the process. An interesting fact: among older adults who go online, 56% said that they’d need assistance learning social media sites, like Facebook and Twitter. They go online but don’t utilize social networking sites.

Changes in the Use of Internet and Other Technology Devices Over the Years

Although older adults have historically been late adopters to the world of technology compared to their younger counterparts, their movement into the digital world continues to deepen (Smith 2014).

According to the Pew Research Center, internet users among 65 years of age and older increased 150% between the years 2009 and 2011, the largest growth in a demographic group. In another research study conducted in 2012, 71% went online and 34% used social media. The elderly use these tools to bridge the geographic group between them and their loved ones far away as well as reconnecting with old friends. The internet has become an important portal for reducing isolation, loneliness and other depressive symptoms (Kamiel 2016).

In an April 2012, a survey was conducted by the Pew Research Center indicating that seven in ten senior citizens ages 65 and older owned a cell phone, which went up from 57% in 2010, making the percentage in 2012: 69%.

o Among those who are 76 and older, 56% reported owning a cell phone of some kind, which increased from 47% back in 2010. Compared to all adults, some 88% owned a cellphone, including 95% of those between the ages of 18 and 29 (Zickher & Madden 2012.)

In a research study conducted in 2014 by the Pew Research Center, two different groups of older adults were analyzed: Group 1) Younger, more educated and affluent seniors and Group 2) Older, less affluent seniors.

o Group 1: They had relatively substantial technology assets and held more positive views towards the benefits of online platforms (Smith 2014).

o Group 2: They often had significant challenges with health or disability. They were largely disconnected from the world of digital tools and services, both physically and psychologically.

“Six in ten seniors now go online and just under half are broadband adopters” (Smith 2014).

In April 2012, the Pew Research Center found for the first time that more than half of adults 65 and older were internet users. In 2014, 59% reported that they went online, which was a 6% increase over the course of a year. 47% said that they had a high-speed broadband connection at home. 77% of older adults reported having a cell phone, which was an increase from 69% in April of 2012.

o Here is a basic comparative overview of the usage of cellphones, internet and broadband between All Adults and those 65 and older:

2014 Comparison in Technology Device Usage in All Adults and 65

and UpDevice % of Usage in All Adults % of Usage in Adults 65+

Cellphone 91% 77%Internet 86% 59%Broadband 70% 47%

Cellphones are the most common use of technology among both populations. Keep in mind that despite the percentage gains, seniors continue to lag behind younger

Americans. And many seniors remain “largely unattached from online and mobile life,” (Smith 2014). It was reported in the Pew Research study back in 2014 that 41% of senior citizens did not use the internet at all and 53% did not have broadband access at home and 23% did not have a cell phone.

Younger, higher-income, and more highly educated seniors use the internet and broadband rates are approaching, or even exceeding, the general population. Internet use and broadband adoption each drop off dramatically around the age of 75 (Smith 2014).

o Here is a better look at these findings from a survey conducted back in 2013: *Also see Graph 2 on attached Excel Sheet based on table below on attached

Percentage of Usage within Age GroupsAge

GroupGo

OnlineBroadband at

Home65-69 74% 65%70-74 68% 55%75-79 47% 34%80+ 37% 21%

Based on research findings in 2014, affluent, well-educated seniors adopted the internet and broadband at substantially higher rates than those with lower incomes and education attainment.

o Among seniors with an annual household income of $75,000 or more, 90% went online and 82% had broadband at home, while those earning less than $30,000 annually, only 39% went online and 25% had broadband at home (Smith 2014).

o 87% of seniors with a college degree went online, and 76% were broadband adopters. Among seniors who have never attended college, 40% went online and only 27% had broadband at home (Smith 2014).

Despite physical or psychological challenges/barriers and attitudes, many seniors who become internet users make visiting the digital world a regular occurrence. In 2014, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey based on the frequency of going online between different age groups:

Age GroupOnline 3-5 Times a Week

Every day/Almost Every day

18-29 6% 88%30-49 8% 84%

50-64 8% 79%65+ 11% 71%

As seen in the table above, only 11% of senior citizen 65 years and older went online three to five times a week, while a larger number at 71% did so every day or almost every day.

Of the 79% of older internet users, strong, positive attitudes are held about the benefits of online information in their personal lives. 94% agreed that the internet makes it much easier in finding information today than it did in the past (Smith 2014).

While the internet has become a very important, close to vital aspect to many people’s lives, 13% of U.S. adults today refrain from the internet. However, if you were to look at the figure from 2000 when the Pew Research Center began their studies on the subject matter, you would see a significant decrease. The size of this group has changed little over the past three years, despite recent government and social service programs that encourage internet adoption (Perrin 2016). In 2000, 48% didn’t utilize the internet, while in 2015, only 15% didn’t and today the figure is at 13%.

o In a survey conducted back in 2013, 34% reported that they didn’t go online, because they had no interest or believed the internet had no relevance in their lives. 32% said the internet was too difficult to use, while only 8% claimed they were too old to learn. 19% reported that cost was their barrier (Perrin 2016).

o Three years later, another survey was conducted to see what the percentages were of those who didn’t go online at all. Here is a table to provide a closer look:

Who's Not OnlineAge Group

% Not Online

18-29 1%30-49 4%50-64 16%65+ 41%

About four in ten adults ages 65 and older or 41% reported that they did not use the internet, compared to the 1% of younger adults. Back in 2000, 86% of the 65 and older population claimed to not have had any use for the internet. Today, that figure has been cut in half (Perrin 2016).

Senior citizens have explained that they use the internet for informational and educational purposes, much like a virtual encyclopedia. They visit government sites or research financial issues. The information gateway to the outside world is pertinent to the elderly once they become homebound (Orlov 2016). Younger generations tend to take such virtual platforms, like Facebook, for granted, for they have adapted to their advantages earlier on.

Computer classes held at senior centers are growing in popularity. Classes include basic computer tools as well as learning how to use email and other social media platforms; these classes have become more common in recent years. Also, local AARP chapters offer basic computer classes and sometimes partner with vendors for discounts on the hardware (Orlov 2016).

Kinds of Technology and How They are Utilized

“Seniors differ from the general population in their device ownership habits” (Smith 2014.) Senior citizens are more likely to own a tablet/e-reader than a smartphone. While more than half of all Americans now have smartphones, among older adults, only 18% have them. Smartphone ownership among the 65 and older population has only risen modestly in recent years at 11% according to a survey back in April 2011. 77% of seniors did have cellphones, they just tended to be more basic devices.

Technology is a complex and wonderful phenomenon that will continue to evolve and integrate into just about everybody’s lives. Even people in their 90s are embracing smartphones, tablets, social media and other technologies (Mears 2015). With that said, there is a tipping point. The difference between 65 and 75 or 80 years of age, 65-year-old individuals are more likely to be tech savvy.

Technology has the potential of making living more independently easier for seniors. Devices can monitor medication management, locate older Alzheimer’s patients or sense when someone has fallen.

Here is a closer look at the percentages of ownership in a survey that was conducted by the Pew Research Center back in 2014:

Comparison of General Adult Population and 65+ and Device OwnershipPopulation Smartphone Tablet/E-Reader

All Adults 55% 43%65* 18% 27%

Social Networking Sites: o Back in 2012 one in three seniors reported to have used Facebook and Linkedin.

But let’s take a look at the numbers gathered back in April of 2009 through May of 2011: Seniors using social networking sites grew 150% from 13% in 2009 to 33% in 2011. Jump ahead to February of 2012, it was reported that half of internet users 65 and older (34%) utilized social networking sites and 18% did so on a typical day. Among all adult internet users, 66% used social networking sites, including 86% of those between the ages of 18 and 29, with 48% of adult internet users doing so on a typical day (Zickher & Madden 2012.)

o It was calculated by the Pew Research Center back in 2014 that 27% of older adults use social networking sites were more likely to socialize with others compared with their non-user counterparts.

o 46% of these seniors who utilized social networking sites had more persistent social connections with those they cared about. Some 81% of older adults who use social networking sites reported that they also socialized with people in person, online and via telephone on a daily or near-daily basis.

o Among seniors who went online but didn’t use social networking sites constituted 71% of the population, while those who weren’t online at all was 63% of the older adult population (Smith 2014).

o In 2014, 56% of online-using adults in the 65 and older age group were using Facebook, which was an increase from 45% back in 2013 (Anderson 2015).

o Twitter has become a popular social media outlet for older adults. They use Twitter as a way of keying into specific news sections they want to follow (Orlov 2016).

o Many elderly people utilize social media as a way of connecting with like-minded individuals. Many have started discussion groups that center on life and health issues that are pertinent to them, issues that range from dementia to depression. These discussion groups are a give and take; individuals give out supports as much as they receive it right in the comfort of their own homes.

Doctors and other professionals have keyed into this demographic and have set up social media pages to take advantage of this customer and patient outlet.

Also, keep in mind, younger generations have less of an issue with privacy, whereas older adults are cautious when it comes to social media sites, which is why the older adults that are part of the social media world use the platform in a less flamboyant and attention-grabbing fashion.

More than half of all seniors who go online say they use Facebook while lesser numbers are correlated with Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest and Linkedin (Birkett.) Even though the gap is closing, there is still more gap to close. Within four to ten seniors who are not yet active online means only about a third of all seniors are using Facebook (Birkett.)

Here is a closer look at the more popular social media sites and how many senior citizens utilize them:

o Facebook: In 2014, the percentage increased to 56% from the 45% that was calculated back in 2013. Compared to the use by all adults, the figure remained at a constant 71% for both years.

o Twitter: The numbers doubled from 2013 to 2014, from 5% to 10%, while 18% of all adults used Twitter in 2013 and 23% did in 2014.

o Instagram: Seniors seem to be just discovering this platform. In 2013, just 1% of senior citizens were part of the social media site, while in 2014, 6% joined. And more than 50% of all adults were using Instagram in both years.

o Pintrest: Use by senior citizens almost doubled in 2014 with an overall number of 17%. For all adults, the number increased a third from 2013 to 2014, which was equaled out to be 28%.

o Linkedin: 21% of senior citizens reported using the site in 2014, which went up from 13% back in 2013. For all adults, the percentage from 2013 to 2014 went up from 22% to 28% (Birkett 2016).

Smartphones: o In 2015, it was calculated that out of the 78% of 65 and older population that own

cellphones, only 30% had smartphones (Mears 2015). 41% of the 65 to 69-year age group owned smartphones, but still more than 70% of the 41 million 65 and older population didn’t own a smartphone. When analyzing survey findings, cost of plans wasn’t the main reason. 43% of smartphone owners paid anywhere between $50 to $100 and only 10% of the 65 and older population were statistically classified as living in poverty (Orlov 2015).

o It was reported in a 2015 survey that 37% of the 65 and older age group used their smartphones for the turn-by-turn navigation system and 53% used their phones when observing or experiencing an emergency.

o It remains true that overall, older Americans are less likely to be online, have broadband at home or own a mobile device. 27% of older adults own a mobile device while 85% of younger adults from ages 18 to 29 own them. But of those older adults that do own them, they have reported to find them freeing and connecting. The following tables derived from a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center back in 2015 will provide a better picture percentage wise to see the comparisons between age groups:

Views of Having Cellphones: Do They Provide Freedom or Create a Leash?

Age Group Leash Freedom18-29 36% 64%30-49 32% 68%50-64 22% 77%65+ 18% 82%

Are Cellphones Distracting or Connecting Between Age Groups?

Age Group Distracting Connecting18-29 37% 63%30-49 29% 71%50-64 18% 81%65+ 18% 82%

o As you can see, seniors find having a smartphone as freeing and as a way of connecting more so than younger adults. This could be due to the fact that older adults are “late bloomers” in the world of technology. They appreciate the convenience and many aspects of owning a mobile device compared to a younger adult who has utilized the technology more so over the years (Anderson 2015).

Tablets/E-Readers: A reason why tablets or e-readers are more popularly used by seniors than say smartphones is because of their bigger screens. They make it easier for video-conferencing, email, sharing photos and internet use. Seniors are using them in lieu of the desktop computer (Mears 2015).

GPS: Like younger people, many seniors find convivence in GPS. Skype/Facetime: This platform is particularly popular with those with grandchildren and

who have family living far away. This is considered a supplement in their lives. Fitness Trackers: Wearable fitness monitors make it easy for senior citizens to monitor

activity and sleep, ensuring they get enough exercise and maintain a balanced lifestyle (Mears 2015).

Medication Monitors: New medication systems have alarms that let users know when it’s time to take their medication, and these alarms will repeat, in case of a situation where the initial alarm went unheard. Medication monitors will also call a caregiver if more time after the repeated alarm passes. Medication errors are the number one cause of hospitalization among those 75 years of age and older (Mears 2015).

Smartwatches: These devices include an alarm button as well as having a medication reminder and fitness tracker all within the device. They also pair with cellphone use when away from home.

Baby Boomers

U.S. Baby Boomer generation has an uneasy relationship with technology. On one hand, the generation was born post-World War II, which is making them the fastest growing segment of technology consumers. On the other hand, the technology that is marketed to them in some ways is much different than how it’s marketed to their children and grandchildren (James 2015.)

o Baby Boomers are also classified as “digital immigrants,” which basically means that this age group wasn’t born with technologies, like video games or cell phones, yet this group is quickly adapting and adapting to the technology that is native to their grandchildren or the group of individuals known as Millennials (James 2015.)

As early as 2010, the Baby Boomers accounted for 25% of the United States’ population, but they accounted for 40% of the monies spent on technology. Actually, this group spend more on technology that year than any other generation or age group did. And in 2012, Baby Boomers constituted 70% of the country’s disposable income. It was also reported that 80% of Baby Boomers owned cell phones (James 2015.)

2013 research shows that Baby Boomers compromise the fastest growing segment of smart phone owners and they also constitute 1/3 of all internet users.

o That same year, Google conducted a study that included a sample of more than 6,000 that consisted of both Baby Boomers (45-66-years old) and Seniors (67+). The purpose of this study was to reveal some truth within a group that is often overlooked in the technology sector. The study revealed five critical factors:

1. 78% of Baby Boomers were online and 52% of Seniors were online.

2. Both groups (Boomers and Seniors) spent an average of 19 hours on the internet each week. This was more than time spent watching television, listening to the radio and reading newspapers and/or magazines.

3. 71% of Baby Boomers and 59% of Seniors used social media on a daily basis, Facebook being the most popular format.

4. 82% of viewers said YouTube was the preferred online video-watching site.

5. 77% used mobile devices simultaneously with another screen (Emling 2013).

By 2014, the majority of the Baby Boomer population were using more than one piece of technology. Those who fell under the 55 and up portion of the group, 68% used more than one device; they utilized phones, tablets and/or computers.

Evolving Technology/Future Technology

Today, these “Digital Immigrants” use technology as “productivity tools,” (James 2015.) For example, a 70-something-year-old grandmother reported using her phone to order

prescriptions, while her iPad Air was strictly for connecting with grandchildren shopping purposes.

o As more people age, healthcare becomes a great concern and technological advances are leading in the way in caring for the aging (James 2015). For example, apps such as Medisafe uses the cloud to alert a friend or family member when someone misses a dose of medication. The Vigo Cardigan is akin to a Fitbit in that it gathers data over an extended period of time for both patient and their therapists. The device comes with monitor-sensing systems.

Footwear technology is evolving to maintain health and safety of the elderly. There are shoes out on the market that come with GPS locaters that are embedded in the heels, which are directed more towards dementia patients, in case of a situation they wonder off and get lost.

Mobility scooters are receiving digital upgrades, which is nearing at a total of $10K (James 2015.)

o For example, The Whill can be controlled through an app by someone else to prevent a patient from accidentally rolling out of control and preventing any other kind of accident from occurring. They are marketing to anyone that endures mobility issues, but the advantages for the senior market are many if not higher.

Over recent years AARP has made great efforts to implement the advantages of technology by offering workshops, videos and online safety tips through its TEK Academy (Technology, Education and Knowledge Academy), but the advocacy group wants to go further. AARP has teamed up with J.P. Morgan Asset Management to start a $40 million Innovation Fund that will branch the invention of senior-friendly digital tools with other healthcare aids (Gustke 2016.)

Here some examples of developing technology that is directed towards the senior citizen population:

o GrandPad: Since tablet computers are more popular items among seniors 75 and older, largely due to their bigger screens, this has prompted the creation of the GrandPad, which is a digital table that has its own private, curated system (Gustke 2016.) All a user has to do is tap a photo to make a video call or tap a button to send a voice email. Relatives can also download the app to communicate with older relatives.

Scott Lein, the CEO of GrandPad, created the device after his mother’s hearing loss made it difficult to have conversation via standard phone, and Skype was equally as frustrating for her. Also, remembering passwords and installing updates was daunting for her, as well as he presumed it to be for many other older adults. GrandPad was designed without the hassle. The device also has games such as Solitaire and Black Jack that can be played.

o Pillboxie: uses color coding and simple menus to help elderly in remembering to take medication.

o Eye Reader: is an application that turns smartphones into a magnifying glass.o Silver Surf App: was designed for those 50 years of age and older to read small

print with zoom control.o Tile App: tracks lost keys, wallets, etc.

o The Oscar Senior App: turns a tablet into a remote-controlled device. Features may be more limited, however, users can receive medication notifications and have video chats with family members that download their own version of the application (Gustke 2016.)

o Lively: Iggy Fanio, CEO and Co-Founder, experienced what it was like to wear an emergency pendant when walking around the city streets of San Francisco. What he received for multiple looks of pity.

A study that was published by the Journal of Gerontology and Geriatrics in 2010 found that only 14% of people who bought an emergency pendant wore it after their purchase (Wagstaff 2015.)

Fanio wanted to create something seniors would actually want to put on. He developed a simple, waterproof watch that displays time, as well as counts steps and calls for help when pressing the big, orange button. This device is attractive due to its lack of flamboyance; wearing a watch is a lot less of an eye-sore than say an emergency pendant. The device was designed to look like a Smartwatch. Nothing about it screams medical alert device. Nobody would think of it as different or weird (Wagstaff 2015.)

Sure, senior citizens could just purchase, say an Apple Watch, but they’re relatively complicated and they don’t make calling for medical help a priority in its purpose. Therefore, an Apple Watch is useless for senior citizens who desire to have a similar device. Lively hopes that the watch appeals to those wanting something in the middle.

The company also created sensors that can be attached to pillboxes and refrigerator doors that act as reminders for medications or alert family members if someone hasn’t been active as they normally should be.

o SingFit: started out as L.A.-based but is now being used to provide music therapy to people in 60 senior citizen centers throughout the country. Think karaoke, but it speaks the lyrics in plain language rather than being sung (Wagstaff 2015.) The intent is to help those with conditions like dementia and vision problems to follow along.

CEO and Co-Founder, Rachel Francine, has stated that “It’s when people begin to socially isolate that rapid decline happens,” (Wagstaff 2015.) SingFit has hope to prevent that by encouraging seniors—even those with physical and mental ailments—to sing together as a group.

Additional Information

By 2050, the population could double to 80 million according to the US Census Bureau, which means the number of seniors is also set to grow (Wagstaff 2015.) This constitutes a large market and there are plenty of companies out there that want a piece of that.

In 2013, Payscale conducted a survey and found that only six of 32 tech companies had a median age of over 35 that worked for them (Wagstaff 2015.) This might explain why many products are designed and marketed without seniors in mind. It’s rather difficult for a 24-year-old to put themselves in the shoes of a senior citizen.

Here’s an interesting fact about the linkage between technological devices and the mental age of many senior citizens today: according to a study conducted by Journal

Intelligence found that computers and mobile phones could partly explain why senior citizens today appear to be four to eight years younger, cognitively speaking, than the population may have felt less than a decade ago (Jackson 2015.)

Back in 2012, a study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that shows those who are socially isolated are twice as likely to die prematurely and seniors were nearly 50% more likely to die earlier than those who made meaning connections with others (Hirsh 2014.) Therefore, loneliness is nearly twice as dangerous as say, obesity, with a mortality rate comparable to smoking (Hirsch 2014.)

A recent study was published in the Journal of Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, which was conducted by William Chopik. He surveyed 591 retirement participants above the age of 68. Participants used Facebook, Twitter, Skype as well as participated in online chatting and/or utilized instant messaging; they also emailed and owned smartphones. Albeit this sample isn’t as large as compared to other studies conducted in this area, the findings show a good picture of the relationship between older adults and technology. Here were the findings:

o 77% of the participants reported that they either thought technology wasn’t difficult at all or not very difficult to use. 95% said they were either very or somewhat satisfied with technology (Pelegrin 2016.)

o 72% said they were not opposed to learning new technology and just over 60% said that technology was a necessity. Around 75% said that technology is easily available (Pelegrin 2016.)

o This study drew a link between social technology use and physical and psychological health. Lower levels of loneliness predicted better physical and mental health, which social technology was a solid predictor for lower levels of loneliness (Pelegrin 2016.) Those who utilized social technology generally had more satisfaction with life, had fewer depressive symptoms and fewer chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure (Pelegrin 2016.)

Works Cited

1. Perrin, Andrew and Duggan, Maeve, “How Seniors are Using Technology.” Pew Research Center Jun 6 2015. http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/06/26/americans-internet-access-2000-2015/

2. Smith, Aaron, “Older Adults and Technology Use.” Pew Research Center Apr 3, 2014 http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/03/older-adults-and-technology-use/

3. Anderson, Monica and W. Perrin Andrew, “13% of Americans Don’t Use the Internet. Who Are They?” Pew Research Center Sept 7 2016. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/09/07/some-americans-dont-use-the-internet-who-are-they/

4. Anderson, Monica, “For a Vast Majority of Seniors Who Own One, a Smartphone Equals Freedom.” Pew Research Center Apr 29 2015. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/04/29/seniors-smartphones/

5. Mears, Teresa, “10 Essential Technology Tools for Older Adults.” US. News Nov 11 2015. http://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/2015/11/16/10-essential-tech-tools-for-older-adults

6. Orlov, Laurie, “Smartphone Usage by Older Adults is up—Why?” Aging In Place Technology Watch Apr 2 2015. https://www.ageinplacetech.com/blog/smartphone-usage-older-adults-why

7. Kamiel, Anita, “A Hot Trend: The Internet, Social Media and The Elderly.” Huffington Post Mar 7 2016. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/anita-kamiel-rn-mps/older-people-social-media_b_9191178.html

8. Birkett, Barry, “Social Media Use by Seniors Growing—But Much Opportunity Remains.” Senior Care Corner 2014. http://seniorcarecorner.com/social-media-seniors-statistics-2014

9. Zickher, Kathryn and Madden, Mary, “Older Adults and Internet Use.” Pew Research Center Jun 6 2012. http://www.pewinternet.org/2012/06/06/older-adults-and-internet-use/

10. Emling, Shelley, “Senior Technology: 5 Facts About Post 50s Are Using the Internet.” Huffington Post Jun 8 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/08/senior-technology_n_3404653.html

11. James, H.E., “Baby Boomers Gain Freedom Through Technology.” TechCO Jul 14 2015. http://tech.co/baby-boomers-gain-freedom-technology-2015-07

12. Gustke, Constance, “Making Technology Easier for Older People to Use.” New York Times Mar 11 2016. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/12/your-money/making-technology-easier-for-older-people-to-use.html?_r=0

13. Wagstaff, Keith, “Seniors Love Technology Too, and Some Companies are Starting to Notice.” Today Mar 9 2015. http://www.today.com/money/seniors-love-technology-too-some-companies-are-starting-notice-t9856

14. Jackson, Lucas “Senior Citizens’ Use of Computers and Mobile Phones Might Shave 10 Years off Their Mental Age.” Who Are You Calling Old? Sept 1 2015. http://qz.com/492244/seniors-citizens-use-of-computers-and-mobile-phones-might-shave-10-years-off-their-mental-age/

15. Pelegrin, William, “Seeing Your Grandparents of Facebook Might Make You Sight, But it Might be Good for Them.” Digital Trends Aug 8 2016. http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/seniors-social-technology-use/

16. Hirsh, Jesse, “How Skype and Email Could Help Seniors Avoid Loneliness—and an Early Death.” CBC News Dec 26 2014. http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/how-skype-and-email-could-help-seniors-avoid-loneliness-and-an-early-death-1.2881312