November 2016 G. Oscar Anderson, Senior Research Advisor AARP Research https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00140.001
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into 'Real Possibilities' by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world s largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @aarp and our CEO @JoAnn_Jenkins on Twitter. For more information about this research please contact Oscar Anderson at ganderson@aarp.org 2
istock/aldo Murillo 3
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Device Adoption Portable device adoption such as smartphones and tablets continue to grow among Americans age 50+, while adoption of traditional computing has flattened or declined. Over three quarters of adults 50+ (76%) own some type of computing device (desktop/laptop/tablet). Over half of adults over age 50 own a smartphone device. Smartphone ownership is up ten percentage points over July 2014 and 25 points since 2013. Nearly nine in 10 (89%) adults over 50 own some type of mobile device and nearly three quarters of adults age 50-59 (73%) own a smartphone. Four in ten Americans age 50+ own a tablet, up six percentage points from last year and ten points from 2014. Tablet ownership among adults 50-59 has grown to a majority (51%) in this age group. One in ten (11%) adults over 50 own a wearable device. Newer technology such as wearables have lower adoption rates; however, younger adults are more likely to own such a device than those over 70. 5
Online Activities Email and surfing the internet top the list of activities done on a computer or tablet by Americans age 50+. Among those who own such devices, top 5 activities are sending emails (82%), surfing the internet (81%), getting news (77%), getting directions or traffic info (72%), and making purchases (70%). Among those who own smartphones, top mobile activities include sending email (91%), getting directions/traffic info (79%), getting news (72%), visiting websites (70%), and accessing social media (62%). Those who own mobile devices but do little with them besides email are becoming more rare. Sixteen percent of smartphone owners age 50+ did nothing but email in 2012 vs. just 7% today. Those 70+ are most likely to be in this low-use group (20% of owners only use email). Seven in ten (71%) of those with devices say they use technology to stay in touch with friends and family. Compared to previous waves, there was a large drop in those saying they use technology to stay in touch with friends and family. Respondents age 70+ seem to be driving the drop: this month only 51% say they use tech to stay in touch, while in March 68% said the same. Texting has over taken email as the most used mode of communicating for those 50-59. Privacy is still an issue for most older adults. Just 20% of those 50+ are extremely/very confident that their data are kept private online. 6
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80% 70% Regular cell phone 60% 53% 50% 57% 56% 55% 40% Laptop Desktop 40% 30% Smartphone 20% 22% 11% of adults 50+ own a wearable device % Aug-11 Oct-11 Jan-12 May-12 Sep-12 Mar-13 Jun-13 Oct-13 Jan-14 Jul-14 Mar-15 Jul-15 Mar-16 Jul-16 Q.Tech1 (Base: All respondents. N=1500 for Jul 16). Do you have a ipad or other tablet computer E-reader Portable electronics such as smartphones (55% in July) and tablets (40%) continue to climb over time among Americans age 50 and older, while more traditional computing has remained flat (such as laptops, 56%) or declined (desktops, 53% in July). Traditional e-readers such as the Kindle and Nook (22%) are also showing signs of fall off in adoption after growing steadily until last year. 8
Currently Own a Wearable Device such as a FitBit, Jawbone UP, or Apple Watch 11% 50+ 19% 50-59 60-69 3% 70+ 11% Men 12% Women Q.Tech1 (Base: All respondents. N=1500 for Jul 16). Do you have a In 2016, the survey began asking about ownership of wearable devices such as Apple Watches and Fitbits. Overall, 11% of those age 50+ own such a device. Those in their 50s are significantly more likely to own a wearable than those in their 60s or over age 70. Adoption among all age groups is expected to grow in future waves. 9
Men 58% Women - 54% 68% 53% 58% 56% 54% 56% 51% 45% 40% 38% 22% 38% 26% 25% 25% 13% Own Desktop Own Laptop Total Q.Tech1 (Base: All respondents. N=1500 for Jul 16). Do you have a 50-59 Own E-reader 60-69 70+ Own Tablet Adults age 50-59 are the most likely age group to own any computing device. Those age 60-69 have nearly achieved parity with their younger counterparts in desktop computer and e-reader ownership, but still lag behind when it comes to laptops and tablets. Adults age 70+ are the least likely to have adopted any device. By gender, men are significantly more likely than women to own laptops (58%. vs. 54%). 10
(Among those who DO NOT OWN a tablet) Intent to Purchase a Tablet in the Next Year (% Yes) 50+ 40% 50-59 60-69 70+ 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 17% 15% 12% 16% 12% 8% 5% 16% 3% 5% 13% 5% 14% 5% 16% 5% 7% 6% % 2011 2012 Q.Tech3A (Base: Those who do not own tablets n=907 for Jul 16). Do you plan to purchase an ipad or other tablet computer within the next year? 2013 2014 2015 2016 Although tablet adoption continues to grow rapidly over time, intent to buy tablets has remained relatively flat across ages. There was, however, a significant drop among the 60-69 age group in purchase intent this past year (14% in 2015 to 7% in 2016). Likewise, actual tablet ownership has not grown among this group in 2016 either (39% average in 2015 vs. 37% average in 2016). 11
100% 90% 80% 73% 70% 60% 50% Total 50-59 60-69 70+ 64% 57% 51% 57% 40% 55% 54% Do you plan to purchase a smartphone in the next year? Among those who do not own a smartphone... 50+ 50-59 60-69 70+ 29% 30% 8% 20% 13% 4% % Own Cell Phone Q.Tech1 (Base: All respondents. N=1500 for Jul 16). Do you have a Q.Tech3 (Base: Those who do not own smartphones, n=682 for Jul 16). Do you plan to purchase a smartphone within the next year? Own Smartphone Adoption of any mobile device (smartphone or regular cell) among the 50+ is 89% and smartphone penetration is at 55%. Intent to purchase a smartphone remains stable at 8%. 12
70% 60% 48% 50% 40% 30% 20% % 30% 31% 34% 37% 23% 25% 25% 34% 29% 29% 20% 24% 26% 14% 18% 19% 13% 12% 11-Aug 11-Oct 12-Jan 12-May 12-Sep 13-Mar 13-Jun Q.Tech1 (Base: All respondents. N=1500 for Jul 16). Do you have a 13-Oct 14-Jan 42% 56% 56% 53% 46% 59% 52% 51% 51% 50+ Men Women 14-Jul 15-Mar 15-Jul 16-Mar 16-Jul Although the difference is often within the margin of error, men are consistently more likely to own smartphones than women. For July 2016, the difference is significant 59% of men age 50+ own a smartphone vs. just 51% of women. Intent to purchase a smartphone, however, shows no significant gender difference (9% of men vs. 8% of women, not significant). 13
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(Among those who use computers and/or tablets) 82% 81% 77% 50+ 72% 70% 64% 63% 57% 55% 53% 51% 47% 33% Send or Visit websites Get news and Get directions receive IMs or or surf the other info or traffic info Emails internet Q.Tech2 (Base: Those who own devices. n=1134 for Jul 16). Next, please tell me if you have used your computer to do any of the following things Make a purchase Access a Comparative Perform social shop for banking or networking discounts and financial site deals transactions Get health Watch videos Play a game Download or Post your own and fitness or shows purchase an reviews, info app ratings, or comments online Surfing the web, email, and getting news continue to dominate how older adults use their devices. Two-thirds use social media (64%) and half (51%) play games and watch video (53%). 15
(Among those who use computers and/or tablets) 50+ 88% 82% 83% 88%87% 81% 69% 80%80% 77% 78%76% 72% 75%74% 70% 65% 58% 55% 50-59 72% 64% 65% 60-69 69%69% 63% 55% 43% 43% 70+ 66% 65% 57% 57% 42% 57%59% 55% 53% 52% 42% 56% 54% 51% 51% 48% 46% 47% 41% 33% 25% Send or Visit websites Get news and Get directions receive IMs or or surf the other info or traffic info Emails internet Q.Tech2 (Base: Those who own devices. n=1134 for Jul 16). Next, please tell me if you have used your computer to do any of the following things Make a purchase Access a Comparative Perform social shop for banking or networking discounts and financial site deals transactions 26% 31% 21% Get health Watch videos Play a game Download or Post your own and fitness or shows purchase an reviews, info app ratings, or comments online Younger boomers are more likely than older adults to do many online activities, particularly around social media, banking and watching online videos or shows. The age gap persists in more common tasks such as email and web browsing, which indicates that a sizeable chunk of adults 70 and older may be underutilizing their devices, even if they already own them. 16
(Among those who use computers and/or tablets) Total 50+ Aug-11 83% 85% 82% Oct-11 Jan-12 84% 78% May-12 79% 76% Sep-12 76% 71% Mar-13 73% 64% 67% 50% Jun-13 65% 58% Oct-14 62% 60% Jan-14 Jul-14 58% 48% 52% Mar-15 Jul-15 50% Mar-16 45% 35% 26% Visit Send or websites or receive IMs surf the or Emails internet Get news Get Make a Comparative Access a Perform Get health Play a game and other directions or purchase shop for social banking or and fitness info traffic info discounts networking financial info and deals site transactions Q.Tech2 (Base: Those who own devices. n=1134 for Jul 16). Next, please tell me if you have used your computer to do any of the following things 22% Watch Download or Post your videos or purchase an own reviews, shows app ratings, or comments online Most online activity has been relatively stable over time, with some exceptions. Content creation type activities such as social networking, downloading apps, and posting ratings/reviews have grown over the years, which may indicate increasing accessibility and comfort with online interaction among this older device owners. 17
(among those who own a smartphone) 50+ 91% 79% 72% 70% 62% 60% 47% 46% 44% 38% 38% 35% 26% Send or Get directions Get news and Visit websites Access a Download or Play a game Comparative receive IMs or or traffic info other info or surf the social purchase an shop for Emails internet networking app discounts and site deals Q.Tech2aa (Base: Those who own smartphones. n=818 for Jul 16). Next, please tell me if you have used your smart phone to do any of the following things Make a purchase Get health Watch videos Perform Post your and fitness or shows banking or own reviews, info financial ratings, or transactions comments online Email, visiting websites, news, and getting directions are the most common activities that smartphone users engage in. Six in ten have downloaded an app. Some tasks, such as watching video, banking, and posting comments are still only done by about a third of smartphone owners. 18
(among those who own a smartphone) 95% 92% 78% 50-59 85% 75% 62% 80% 60-69 70+ 78% 68% 71% 67% 56% 42% 70% 56% 40% 56% 34% 54% 53% 41% 28% 51% 46% 38% 24% 36% 49% 47% 43% 31% 29% 17% 22% 29% 17% 34% 20% Send or Get Visit websites Get news and Access a Download or Comparative receive IMs directions or or surf the other info social purchase an shop for or Emails traffic info internet networking app discounts and site deals Q.Tech2aa (Base: Those who own smartphones. n=818 for Jul 16). Next, please tell me if you have used your smart phone to do any of the following things Make a purchase Play a game Watch videos Get health or shows and fitness info Perform Post your banking or own reviews, financial ratings, or transactions comments online Smartphone owners age 50-59 are more likely to use their phone to do a variety of activities than those who are older; however, those 60-69 achieve near parity in basic activities such as sending emails and playing games. 19
(among those who own a smartphone) No Activity No Activity Except Email No Activity Except Email or Directions Linear (No Activity Except Email) 16% 16% 12% 9% 13% 12% 8% 11% 9% 8% 5% 7% 8% 5% 11-Oct 6% 6% 3% 11-Aug 9% 7% 6% 6% 12-Jan Q.Tech2aa (Base: Those who own smartphones. n=818 for Jul 16). Next, please tell me if you have used your smart phone to do any of the following things 12-May 13-Mar 13-Jun 13-Oct 14-Jan 4% 15-Mar 7% 6% 4% 2% 14-Jul 8% 8% 7% 7% 3% 8% 8% 15-Jul 3% 3% 16-Mar 16-Jul Email, visiting websites, news, and getting directions are the most common activities smartphone users age 50+ engage in. Other than email, there are still sizable portions of older adults who own smartphones but don t utilize them for other online activities. However, over the past 5 years, this segment of the owners is getting smaller. Those 70+ are most likely to be email-only users (20% vs. just 2% of those 50-59). 20
Play a game Watch videos or shows Download or purchase an app Get directions or traffic info Perform banking or financial transactions Get news and other info Computer Get health and fitness info 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 0% Send or receive IMs or Emails Visit websites or surf the internet Make a purchase Comparative shop for discounts and deals Post your own reviews, ratings, or comments online Access a social networking site Mobile Q.Tech2aa (Base: Those who own smartphones and computers. n=715 for Mar 16) Adults age 50+ who are mobile enabled do most activities more on their computers and tablets than they do on their smartphones, but there are some tasks that are becoming mobile dominant: sending email/ims (92% on mobile vs. 89% on computer), getting traffic and directions (81% on mobile vs. 84% on computer), and downloading apps (63% on mobile vs. 61% on computer) are all done as much or more on mobile than traditional computers. 21
Do You Use Technology to Communicate with Friends and Family? 100% 85% 91% 85% 83% 82% 81% 83% 78% 84% 78% 78% 82% 83% 83% 80% 80% 80% 80% 78% 77% 75% 80% 80%77% 75% 76% 78% 79% 77% 73% 72% 71% 70% 75% 76% 69% 73% 74% 69% 68% 60% 63% 63% 61% 60% 60% 50% 56% 55% 51% 40% 50% 90% Use technology to stay connected and in touch with friends and family 88% 30% 20% % 12-Jan 12-May 12-Sep 13-Mar 13-Jun 13-Oct 14-Jan 14-Jul 15-Mar 15-Jul 16-Mar 16-Jul 50+ Q.NewQ1 (Base: Those who own at least one device. n=1408 for Jul 16). Do you use technology like cell phones, computers, and the Internet to stay connected and in-touch with family and friends? 50-59 60-69 70+ Seven in ten adults 50+ use technology to remain connected with their friends and family. This is a significant drop compared to previous waves, and although all age groups dropped, it appears to be driven largely by those age 70+. In March, 68% of those 70+ used tech to stay connected, while this wave only 51% have said the same. It remains to be seen whether this change will hold in future waves. 22
How often do you use the following to communicate with friends & family... At least once a month or more 80% 79% 83% 74% 50+ (among those who say they use tech to communicate) 92% 79% 77% 66% 50-59 76% 52% 33% Email Text messaging 37% 60-69 70+ 64% 46% 32% 23% Video chat (skype, ichat) Social networking Communication Modes over Time Email 88% 87% 83% 83% 59% 46%47% 19% 12-Jan 53% 24% 12-May 54% 53% 16% 12-Sep Q.NewQ2 (Base: Those who say they use tech to stay connected. n=1002 for Jul 16). Do you use technology like cell phones, computers, and the Internet to stay connected and in-touch with family and friends? 60% Text 84% 61% Video 85% 64% Social media 80% 67% 84% 69% 83% 74% 82% 75% 59% 62% 61% 24% 26% 25% 24% 14-Jan 14-Jul 15-Mar 15-Jul 54% 54% 57% 54% 23% 20% 24% 13-Mar 13-Jun 13-Oct 82% 77% 64% 29% 16-Mar Over time, email has dropped slightly as a mode of communication, while texting and social media have gained in popularity. Among the 50-59 age group, text messaging has overtaken email in the tool most used to stay connected, and still lead the way on using social media to remain in touch. 23
Confidence That Wireless Devices are Private & Will Not Be Seen by Others (extremely/very confident) 2% 5% 24% 18% Confidence That Wireless Devices are Private & Will Not Be Seen by Others Extremely Confident 15% Average for 50+ Very Confident Somewhat Confident 36% 50+ Not Very Confident 21% 20% 14% 19% 16% 14% 21% 20% 17% 14% 16% 17% 11% Not At All Confident Don't know Q.Tech4 (Base: Those who own at least one device, n=1089 for Jul 16). How confident are you that the things you do online when you are using a wireless device such as a laptop, Smartphone, or ipad, are private and will not be used or seen by others without your permission? Just two in ten (20%) adults 50+ are extremely or very confident in their online privacy. Four in ten (42%) are not very or not at all confident in their privacy. Over time, confidence in online privacy is mostly flat. 24 20%
The data presented in this report are from AARP s Attitude, Trend, & Opinion Monitor (ATOM). ATOM is an ongoing telephone survey administered to a national ABS-based sample of adults age 50 and older. The ATOM tracks attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of both AARP Members and Nonmembers. In addition to a core monthly questionnaire, ATOM includes a changing module of items, of which the technology module is one. The monthly sample (n=1500) is stratified by AARP membership status and age using AARP s member and prospect databases. Six separate simple random samples are pulled with duplicate households removed from all samples and telephone matched on landline or cell phone. The survey is administered continuously by AARP s research partner, Precision Opinion. The data are weighted in a three-stage process to reflect the US adult 50 and older population as it is balanced between AARP s membership and the remaining Nonmember population. The most current data contained in this report were collected from July 1 2016-July 31, 2016. Previously collected data are shown from March 2016, March and July 2015; January and July 2014; October, June and March 2013; January, May and September 2012; and April and August 2011. The sampling error for the total monthly sample (n=1500) for adults 50+ is ±2.5%. 25