The Shrinking Generational Digital Divide
Sami Hassanyeh, AARP
Personal computers, cell phones, digital assistants, and the Internet have fundamentally changed how we communicate. We can gather information and reach people with a speed and frequency unimaginable even in the 1980s. But to make these connections, people need access. They must pay for the products and service plans that make it all possible.
The digital divide is the division between those who both want and can afford to make these purchases and those who cannot. There are many dimensions to the digital divide, including income, gender, age, geographic location, culture and race. But with the Internet now accessible from public libraries, cyber cafés and cell phones, getting online is easier than ever for nearly anyone.
The gap between older and younger digital users is rapidly diminishing, especially as boomers explore the vast array of uses for the Internet. Imagine a typical Internet surfer and your first thought might be of a teen or young adult, not a grandparent or retiree. But studies over the past decade show the age gap between who's online and who's not has narrowed significantly.
A recent study by the Center for the Digital Future, in conjunction with AARP, revealed that 41 to 46 percent of Internet users, spanning all age ranges, cited the Internet as "important or very important" in maintaining social relationships.
The same study showed that among older Internet users who are members of online communities, 58 percent log in to their communities one or more times daily, compared to 47 percent of community members under 20. Additionally, 70 percent of the older users rated their communities as very important or extremely important, compared to 58 percent of younger users.
When it comes to shopping, the study found that similar percentages of older and younger Internet users window shop in stores, but then make their purchases online -- 68 percent among 50+ compared to 72 percent for their younger counterparts. Both age groups also view the Internet as an important source of information.
Greater generational differences appear when it comes to reasons for social networking and selecting virtual destinations. While younger users are more likely to have a presence on social networks like Facebook and MySpace, older users often find their way to interactive games, chat rooms, and online activities where they can engage with peers. ‘How to' networking sites are increasingly popular among older adults.
When it comes to destinations, Hitwise USA, which tracks online traffic, found horseracing sites to be the number one online category for people over 55. There's additional heavy traffic to sites related to golf, stocks and investments, travel cruises and virtual pharmacies. Users ages 18 to 24 are primarily headed to sites focused on nightlife, professional wrestling, comics and animation, and Generation Xers represent the greatest users of online banking.
Clearly, while generational destinations may be different, older and younger users share many common interests, and online traffic by older generations is no longer dramatically eclipsed by younger groups.
One obvious reason for the generational digital divide is timing. The arrival of the Internet in the mid-1990s plus advancing communication technology means children of the current generation are growing up as native users of the Internet, email, text and instant messaging, blogging, tweeting, gaming and a host of other cyber vehicles. They've always been connected.
Generations X and Y -- born between 1965 and the mid ‘90s -- grew up absorbing these tools early in life, while boomers and older generations have had to adapt and orient to a changing world of 24/7 communication. While some have embraced the new order of constant connectivity and cyber stimulation, a relatively small group of older non-users is committed to remaining Internet-free.
Increasingly, this is a challenge as individuals, businesses and organizations, and especially communication outlets -- TV, radio, print -- diversify their existing channels by hosting websites with blogs, podcasts and other interactive media. In the business world, using these new technologies is a matter of survival.
Eventually, the age gap will disappear as native users grow older and raise children who are native users. But there is still the issue of income. Although some local governments are experimenting with Wi-Fi clouds -- free Internet for citizens -- the technology still remains out of reach many.
The Center for the Digital Future says about 218 million Americans are online. Within this population, the generational divide is greatest for people over 65. They have the lowest online representation, 37 percent, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. By contrast, 72 percent of 50 to 64 year-olds use the Internet, closely following 85 percent of 30 to 49 year-olds, and 92 percent of 18 to 29 year-olds.
Advances in communication technology are available at a time when families often live in different parts of the country or even the world, and frequent eye-to-eye contact is neither easy nor feasible. In this environment, not only the phone, but email, social networking and text messaging have become integral means of staying in touch.
Men and women over 50, for example, are finding opportunities for closer contact with children, grandchildren and friends by sharing online pictures, having real time conversations, playing cyber games and making plans to spend time together.
One grandmother, a diehard among people avoiding the Internet, became an avid online user when her grandson was stationed in Iraq. She quickly set aside any qualms about going online; her grandson took priority.
In my own family, my parents, siblings and other relatives are scattered across the U.S. and other countries. Advanced technology allows younger and older family members to actively engage and stay current with everyone. Right now, we're making plans online for a family gathering.
There's another reason many older users value 21st century touch-points -- loneliness. As people age, physical and transportation challenges may prevent them from maintaining socially active lives, leaving them feeling imprisoned in their homes. Social isolation can result in reduced quality of life, depression and even alcohol or drug abuse. The Internet helps people stay connected regardless of location, providing a constant link for social activity.
While the excitement of a growing online community is contagious, it's important not to overlook privacy and security concerns, as well as cyberspace fraud. Even so, Americans of all ages are happily crossing the digital divide.
