Social Media: How Connected Are You?
How Americans 50 and older use technology
Thanks to technology, we have lots of ways to reach out to others. Do Americans 50 and older use social media and devices differently than younger people?
To find out, AARP Bulletin teamed up with the independent research firm of SSRS on a national poll. Here's what they found.
Do you use any social media?
| Ages 18-49 |
50-plus |
| Yes |
|
| 69% | 38% |
| No |
|
| 31% | 62% |
Which of the following social media do you use?
| Ages 18-49 | 50-plus |
| 91% |
87% |
| Google Plus | |
| 11% | 7% |
| 17% | 19% |
| 22% | 10% |
| Other | |
| 46% | 42% |
How many social media accounts do you have?
| Ages 18-49 | 50-plus |
| 1 or 2 | |
| 60% | 78% |
| 3 or 4 | |
| 23% | 14% |
| 5 or more | |
| 17% | 5% |
What is the main reason you use social media?
| Ages 18-49 | 50-plus |
| Keep in touch with family/friends | |
| 51% | 54% |
| Keep an eye on kids/grandkids | |
| 2% | 8% |
| Networking for job/job search | |
| 6% | 4% |
| Find old friends | |
| 7% | 4% |
| Keep up with what others are talking about | |
| 12% | 9% |
| Something else | |
| 22% | 21% |
How often do you post on your social media pages?
| Ages 18-49 | 50-plus |
| 1 or more times a day | |
| 24% |
23% |
| At least once a month | |
| 23% | 22% |
| Less than once a month | |
| 15% |
19% |
| At least once a week | |
| 36% | 28% |
| Do not post on sites | |
| 2% | 8% |
Why don't you use social media sites?
| Ages 18-49 | 50-plus |
| Not interested/waste of time | |
| 67% | 58% |
| No Internet access | |
| 21% | 28% |
| Safety/privacy concerns | |
| 17% | 21% |
| Don't know | |
| 1% | 4% |
Do you own an iPad or tablet computer?
| Ages 18-49 |
50-plus |
| Yes | |
| 25% |
20% |
| No | |
| 73% | 78% |
Use of landline vs. cellphone
| Ages 18-49 | 50-plus |
| Cellphone only | |
| 46% |
15% |
| Both landline and cellphone | |
| 47% | 74% |
| Landline only | |
| 7% |
11% |
Do you plan to get rid of your landline?
| Ages 18-49 | 50-plus |
| Yes | |
| 11% | 8% |
| No | |
| 87% |
91% |
Study of 1,000 adults age 18 and over conducted by SSRS, July 18-22, 2012.