More than 1,500 people over the age of 60 took part in an online survey on the use of digital technology by seniors. This study was conducted between May 18 and 21, 2021 by Silver Valley, a group of actors seeking to meet the needs and uses of the elderly, and by HappyVisio, a start-up specializing in online conferences and workshops on health, prevention, culture and leisure topics, in partnership with Pleine Vie magazine. Among the questions asked to seniors, some dealt with the health crisis or the digital tools they know how to use.

A survey marked by the health crisis

For the second year running, Silver Valley has launched its survey cycle in collaboration with HappyVisio and Pleine Vie. For the month of May, the theme of digital access and use by seniors was addressed. A subject marked by the health situation that the world is going through and the repeated confinements that everyone has suffered.

More than a third of retirees were motivated to strengthen their digital skills and thus took advantage of the health crisis to do so. However, more than half of the seniors surveyed consider that their level of digital literacy remains similar to that which they had before the COVID-19 pandemic. A few diehards have also managed to greatly improve their knowledge of digital tools.

Digital Skills of Seniors

Other questions were asked of the seniors. A focus was placed on their digital skills: almost all of those questioned claimed to have the ability to send an e-mail or search the internet using a search engine. Just under 9 out of 10 people can follow a video conference from their smartphone or computer. On the other hand, less than half of seniors know how to manage social networks or edit an image or photo.

More than two thirds of people over 60 own at least one computer and one smartphone. None of the seniors surveyed claimed to own any digital equipment. The tablet seems to be a little less democratized than the telephone or the computer.

A desire to know more about digital technology

People over 60 years old were asked the following question: “Do you feel that there are gaps in the use of digital technology, would you like to know how to do more things? Three out of four seniors stated that they have gaps in this area, while at the same time mentioning the wish to be better introduced to digital equipment. Moreover, almost 9 out of 10 people consider that knowing how to use digital tools is something fundamental or important as they age.

In a video interview for Pleine Vie, Nicolas Menet, CEO of Silver Valley, discussed the survey results and the implications they have for the digital future among seniors:

“The gap in equipment and usage tends to narrow as the years go by. It’s quite positive because five years ago, only 26% of people over 60 had a tablet, whereas today we have a much higher equipment rate. […] This is a sign of a definite digital future for seniors. There are even 22% of them who are satisfied with their current skills. That means it’s a fringe that’s a bit smaller of course, but it’s 100% digitalized and their digital skills are equivalent to the rest of the population.”

Find the study in detail and its analysis here.

Translated from Silver Valley a réalisé une étude autour des usages du numérique chez les personnes de 60 ans et plus