GITNUXREPORT 2025

Elderly And Technology Statistics

Most seniors adopt technology, boosting independence, health, connections, and safety.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

In 2022, 61% of seniors aged 65 and older in the US used the internet, up from 54% in 2019

Statistic 2

73% of seniors aged 65+ have access to the internet at home

Statistic 3

Only 17% of seniors with low income use social media regularly

Statistic 4

37% of elderly adults say lack of digital skills prevents them from fully benefiting from new technology

Statistic 5

58% of elderly respondents indicate that digital literacy programs improve their confidence in technology use

Statistic 6

68% of older adults believe that technology has improved their quality of life

Statistic 7

70% of seniors use online health resources to manage their health

Statistic 8

48% of seniors say that using technology makes them feel more independent

Statistic 9

28% of seniors aged 65-74 use assistive technologies like hearing aids or mobility apps

Statistic 10

42% of elderly adults use wearable health devices, such as fitness trackers or smartwatches, in 2023

Statistic 11

65% of seniors who use health apps report increased confidence in managing health conditions

Statistic 12

52% of seniors believe that telehealth visits save them time and money compared to in-person visits

Statistic 13

69% of seniors report that technology helps them stay independent at home

Statistic 14

65% of seniors aged 65+ have used video conferencing to connect with healthcare providers

Statistic 15

40% of seniors with disabilities rely on adaptive technology to help with daily activities

Statistic 16

86% of seniors who use digital health tools report feeling more in control of managing their health

Statistic 17

38% of elderly adults experience difficulty using digital interfaces due to sensory impairments

Statistic 18

67% of seniors find accessing digital health information easier than going to a doctor’s office

Statistic 19

22% of seniors aged 65+ have used mobile health applications for medication management

Statistic 20

80% of seniors who own smart devices use them for health monitoring

Statistic 21

54% of seniors feel comfortable using online appointment scheduling platforms

Statistic 22

50% of seniors aged 65+ have used virtual reality applications for relaxation or cognitive training

Statistic 23

65% of elderly respondents believe that technology can help improve mental health

Statistic 24

43% of seniors feel that digital technology has helped them maintain their independence longer

Statistic 25

22% of seniors have used telehealth services for mental health support, increasing access to care

Statistic 26

49% of seniors use apps specifically designed for their health conditions, such as diabetes trackers or fall detection apps, a 15% increase since 2020

Statistic 27

59% of seniors with chronic health conditions use digital tools for monitoring or management purposes

Statistic 28

41% of seniors aged 65+ have participated in online fitness or exercise classes, increasing health engagement

Statistic 29

27% of seniors aged 75+ use digital tools to assist with daily living activities, such as reminders for medication or appointments

Statistic 30

55% of seniors consider digital security and privacy an important factor when adopting new technology

Statistic 31

25% of seniors say they have experienced cyber scams or fraud online, highlighting security concerns

Statistic 32

36% of elderly adults have concerns about digital privacy and data security

Statistic 33

78% of seniors who own smartphones use them to communicate via video calls

Statistic 34

55% of seniors find technology helps them stay connected with loved ones

Statistic 35

22% of seniors aged 80+ use some form of social media regularly, up from 10% in 2015

Statistic 36

58% of seniors who adopted digital devices in the last five years reported increased social interactions

Statistic 37

47% of seniors aged 65+ believe that technology can help reduce feelings of loneliness

Statistic 38

49% of elderly internet users have participated in online support groups to combat loneliness

Statistic 39

60% of seniors believe that technology helps them participate more actively in community activities

Statistic 40

72% of seniors believe technology can help reduce loneliness if used effectively

Statistic 41

44% of seniors have used online forums or groups to discuss health issues with peers, fostering community support

Statistic 42

Approximately 40% of seniors aged 65+ own a smartphone in 2023, up from 18% in 2013

Statistic 43

54% of seniors aged 75+ struggle with digital literacy skills

Statistic 44

85% of seniors who use digital devices say they find online tools useful for managing daily tasks

Statistic 45

62% of older adults are willing to try new technologies if they see clear benefits

Statistic 46

The percentage of seniors using virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Home increased by 45% between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 47

31% of seniors participate in online learning courses to enhance digital skills

Statistic 48

34% of seniors rely on family members for technical help with devices and online services

Statistic 49

29% of seniors who use the internet do so primarily for entertainment, including streaming movies and music

Statistic 50

41% of elderly adults feel confident using new technologies after a brief tutorial

Statistic 51

33% of elderly adults use online grocery delivery services, a 25% increase over 2019

Statistic 52

29% of seniors feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of technology changes

Statistic 53

46% of elderly adults use online banking services regularly in 2023, up from 35% in 2019

Statistic 54

70% of seniors who use the internet regularly participate in online educational webinars or workshops

Statistic 55

61% of seniors who use internet banking feel more confident managing their finances

Statistic 56

53% of elderly adults prefer using online platforms for shopping due to convenience

Statistic 57

33% of elderly users experience frustration with digital interfaces due to complex design issues

Statistic 58

45% of seniors reported that their use of technology increased during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Key Highlights

In 2022, 61% of seniors aged 65 and older in the US used the internet, up from 54% in 2019
Approximately 40% of seniors aged 65+ own a smartphone in 2023, up from 18% in 2013
78% of seniors who own smartphones use them to communicate via video calls
55% of seniors find technology helps them stay connected with loved ones
68% of older adults believe that technology has improved their quality of life
73% of seniors aged 65+ have access to the internet at home
Only 17% of seniors with low income use social media regularly
54% of seniors aged 75+ struggle with digital literacy skills
70% of seniors use online health resources to manage their health
48% of seniors say that using technology makes them feel more independent
28% of seniors aged 65-74 use assistive technologies like hearing aids or mobility apps
85% of seniors who use digital devices say they find online tools useful for managing daily tasks
62% of older adults are willing to try new technologies if they see clear benefits

As technology transforms the lives of seniors, recent statistics reveal a remarkable surge in internet use, smartphone ownership, and digital engagement among older adults, highlighting both their growing reliance on digital tools and the ongoing challenges they face in accessing and mastering new technologies.

Digital Access and Internet Connectivity

In 2022, 61% of seniors aged 65 and older in the US used the internet, up from 54% in 2019
73% of seniors aged 65+ have access to the internet at home
Only 17% of seniors with low income use social media regularly

Digital Access and Internet Connectivity Interpretation

Despite a rising tide of connectivity with 61% of seniors now online and most at home accessing the internet, the digital divide persists sharply, especially among low-income seniors where only 17% are engaging regularly with social media, highlighting that technology's promise to bridge gaps still has far to go.

Digital Skills

37% of elderly adults say lack of digital skills prevents them from fully benefiting from new technology
58% of elderly respondents indicate that digital literacy programs improve their confidence in technology use

Digital Skills Interpretation

With over a third of seniors feeling blocked by digital cluelessness, yet more than half gaining confidence through learning, it’s clear that bridging the tech gap for the elderly isn’t just beneficial—it's increasingly essential for their independence and inclusion.

Health and Wellness Technology Use

68% of older adults believe that technology has improved their quality of life
70% of seniors use online health resources to manage their health
48% of seniors say that using technology makes them feel more independent
28% of seniors aged 65-74 use assistive technologies like hearing aids or mobility apps
42% of elderly adults use wearable health devices, such as fitness trackers or smartwatches, in 2023
65% of seniors who use health apps report increased confidence in managing health conditions
52% of seniors believe that telehealth visits save them time and money compared to in-person visits
69% of seniors report that technology helps them stay independent at home
65% of seniors aged 65+ have used video conferencing to connect with healthcare providers
40% of seniors with disabilities rely on adaptive technology to help with daily activities
86% of seniors who use digital health tools report feeling more in control of managing their health
38% of elderly adults experience difficulty using digital interfaces due to sensory impairments
67% of seniors find accessing digital health information easier than going to a doctor’s office
22% of seniors aged 65+ have used mobile health applications for medication management
80% of seniors who own smart devices use them for health monitoring
54% of seniors feel comfortable using online appointment scheduling platforms
50% of seniors aged 65+ have used virtual reality applications for relaxation or cognitive training
65% of elderly respondents believe that technology can help improve mental health
43% of seniors feel that digital technology has helped them maintain their independence longer
22% of seniors have used telehealth services for mental health support, increasing access to care
49% of seniors use apps specifically designed for their health conditions, such as diabetes trackers or fall detection apps, a 15% increase since 2020
59% of seniors with chronic health conditions use digital tools for monitoring or management purposes
41% of seniors aged 65+ have participated in online fitness or exercise classes, increasing health engagement
27% of seniors aged 75+ use digital tools to assist with daily living activities, such as reminders for medication or appointments

Health and Wellness Technology Use Interpretation

As senior citizens increasingly embrace technology—from wearable health devices to virtual doctor visits—they are not only reclaiming independence and confidence but also illustrating that in the digital age, age is just a number and staying connected is the true source of vitality.

Security, Privacy, and Digital Concerns

55% of seniors consider digital security and privacy an important factor when adopting new technology
25% of seniors say they have experienced cyber scams or fraud online, highlighting security concerns
36% of elderly adults have concerns about digital privacy and data security

Security, Privacy, and Digital Concerns Interpretation

While a majority of seniors recognize digital security as vital, the fact that a quarter have fallen victim to scams underscores the urgent need for comprehensive cybersecurity education tailored to our aging population.

Social Engagement and Online Communities

78% of seniors who own smartphones use them to communicate via video calls
55% of seniors find technology helps them stay connected with loved ones
22% of seniors aged 80+ use some form of social media regularly, up from 10% in 2015
58% of seniors who adopted digital devices in the last five years reported increased social interactions
47% of seniors aged 65+ believe that technology can help reduce feelings of loneliness
49% of elderly internet users have participated in online support groups to combat loneliness
60% of seniors believe that technology helps them participate more actively in community activities
72% of seniors believe technology can help reduce loneliness if used effectively
44% of seniors have used online forums or groups to discuss health issues with peers, fostering community support

Social Engagement and Online Communities Interpretation

As the digital bridge between generations widens, nearly three-quarters of seniors embracing technology find it reshaping their social lives—reducing loneliness and reinforcing connections—proving that with a bit of modern know-how, age truly becomes just a number in the digital age.

Technology Adoption and Digital Skills

Approximately 40% of seniors aged 65+ own a smartphone in 2023, up from 18% in 2013
54% of seniors aged 75+ struggle with digital literacy skills
85% of seniors who use digital devices say they find online tools useful for managing daily tasks
62% of older adults are willing to try new technologies if they see clear benefits
The percentage of seniors using virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Home increased by 45% between 2020 and 2023
31% of seniors participate in online learning courses to enhance digital skills
34% of seniors rely on family members for technical help with devices and online services
29% of seniors who use the internet do so primarily for entertainment, including streaming movies and music
41% of elderly adults feel confident using new technologies after a brief tutorial
33% of elderly adults use online grocery delivery services, a 25% increase over 2019
29% of seniors feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of technology changes
46% of elderly adults use online banking services regularly in 2023, up from 35% in 2019
70% of seniors who use the internet regularly participate in online educational webinars or workshops
61% of seniors who use internet banking feel more confident managing their finances
53% of elderly adults prefer using online platforms for shopping due to convenience
33% of elderly users experience frustration with digital interfaces due to complex design issues
45% of seniors reported that their use of technology increased during the COVID-19 pandemic

Technology Adoption and Digital Skills Interpretation

Despite a leap in smartphone ownership and digital engagement among seniors, over half still grapple with digital literacy, highlighting that while technology adoption is rising rapidly—especially during COVID-19—the need for user-friendly design and ongoing support remains crucial to bridge the digital divide for our aging population.