Tech Overload: Older Generation Struggles With Smart TVs And AI

The older generation is comfortable using Google Maps and WhatsApp – but draw the line at smart TV and AI.A poll of 1,000 people aged 65+ found the top tech tasks people are – and are not – willing to do.Firing off WhatsApp is something 64% feel comfortable with – but only 12% would be confident navigating TikTok.

Not being shown how to use something (40%) and finding new tech overwhelming (29%) are the major factors holding this age group back.And nearly a fifth would feel more confident with tech if they had someone show them how to use it.

Victoria Johnson, spokesperson at BT Group, which is aiming to get thousands of older people clued up on technology, said: “Technology can open so many doors.

And only one in 20 strongly agree they try to stay up to date with digital technology trends and advancements.

More than half (52%) would ask their kids if they needed assistance with something, while 5% would just give up.

But 91% regularly use a mobile phone, and 56% of over-65s are users of a tablet On average, older adults spend 20 hours a week online, or a little under three hours per day.

Although nearly a tenth (8%) are online for under five hours weekly, according to OnePoll data.

Facebook is the preferred social media platform for the older generation (65%), followed by YouTube (34%) and Instagram (16%).

Only 2% of over-65s are Snapchat users.More than half (57%) say they would like to be better at using and understanding digital technology.

“These are huge digital advances that people born decades earlier will have to make big adjustments to, so it’s no wonder there are still gaps in their knowledge.

“Our new Senior Skills program aims to help close this gap and get the older and digitally excluded generation feeling more tech-savvy.”

Sarah Brain, spokesperson at AbilityNet, said: “This research shows the need for support for digital skills for the older generation.

Produced in association with SWNS Talker