Bangkok--25 Aug--Ericsson
- Technology helps improve quality of life for seniors
- Texting now used to communicate with children and grandchildren
- Video calling beginning to catch on with older generation
- Gap between seniors who embrace ICT and those who are yet to take the plunge
A new study from Ericsson ConsumerLab carried out in the United States shows that seniors who use communications technology feel more enriched, informed, younger and more in touch with others and society.
This is the first generation of seniors who are able to utilize a wider range of communication technology in older age. Those who have taken up the technology feel more enriched, informed, young, and in touch with others as well as what is happening in society. In short, they feel they have an improved quality of life. The study found that the use of communication technology is bridging the gap between generations in a way that has never been the case with previous generations. Children and grandchildren can share their technology expertise, teaching and giving support to their parents and relatives and creating a common ground in their relationship.
With the growing presence of technology in today's daily life, there is an increasing digital divide between generations, but also within the older age group, with a majority who have not yet embraced usage of smartphones, tablets and new services.
Among the strongest influences for seniors to start using new communication modes are children and grandchildren. Texting has migrated to this generation from their younger relatives. This development is decreasing both voice and email usage, as seniors discover that younger generations prefer to communicate by text.
With its bigger screen and user-friendly interface, the tablet is an attractive device for 65-75 year olds, and is likely to increase in popularity for this generation.
Video calling is just beginning to catch on with the seniors who were interviewed.
Bunyati Kirdniyom, Head of Communications and Regulatory Affairs, Ericsson Thailand says: " They see it as a perfect tool, with its easy handling enabling them to have conversations with close friends and family. It also allows for the details and circumstances of life to be shared."
Seniors’ active and sociable lives are filled with connections with children and grandchildren, volunteer activities, socializing with friends, personal interests and passions, and travel.
Key highlight from the "Connecting the Senior Generation" report are:
- Improved quality of life
This is the first generation of seniors who were able to bring communication technology into older age. Those who have taken up the technology feel more enriched, informed, young, and in touch with others as well as what is happening in society. In short, they feel they have an improved quality of life.
- Bridging the generational gap
The use of communication technology is bridging the gap between generations in a way that has never been the case with previous generations. Children and grandchildren can share their technology expertise, teach and give support to their parents and relatives, creating a common ground in their relationship. One of the strongest influences to start using new communication modes is children and grandchildren.
- Tablet is the preferred device
The tablet, with its bigger screen and user friendliness, is an attractive device for 65-75 year olds, and is likely to be a major device for this generation.
- New ways of communicating
Texting has migrated to this generation from children and grandchildren, eating into both voice and email usage.
- Sharing via video
Video calling is just beginning to catch on with this generation. It is a perfect tool for this age group, with its easy handling enabling them to have conversations with close friends and family. It also allows for the details and circumstances of life to be shared.
- Digital divide
With the growing presence of technology in today’s daily life, there is an increasing digital divide between generations, but also within the older age group, with a majority who have not yet embraced usage of smartphones, tablets and new services.