This appeared last week.
The rise of the ‘GranTechie’: closing the generational gap
June 22, 2015
nbn research reveals 35 per cent of grandparents use video calling apps to keep in-touch with their grandchildren. Move over Millennials and watch out GenZ, Aussie grandparents are some of the fastest growing tech users in the country.Latest research, commissioned by nbn, the company building Australia’s broadband network, identifies a new wave of ‘GranTechies’ – grandparents who are embracing fast broadband and smart devices to form deeper connections with their family and loved ones.
Key findings include:
- The majority of Aussie grandparents surveyed, use the internet to connect with their children (76 per cent), grandchildren (59 per cent) and other family members (72 per cent).*
- Grandparents are increasingly using high-bandwidth video calling applications such as FaceTime or Skype to stay in-touch with their grandchildren (35 per cent), while more than half are using Facebook (61 per cent) and email (90 per cent) to connect with their children.*
- Over two thirds (84 per cent) of grandparents who are using the internet to communicate with their family are doing so on a weekly basis.
- Smartphone users aged 55 and over are the fastest growing segment in Australia, increasing by 28 per cent in the last 12 months. Similarly, tablet users aged 65 and over are the second fastest growing demographic and have increased by 46 per cent in the last 12 months.
- More than half of grandparents surveyed (62 per cent) agreed using the internet has made them feel more connected, helping them overcome feelings of loneliness and social isolation (41 per cent).
Nan Bosler, President of the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association said: “We are seeing more and more Aussie Grandparents embrace social media and video calling applications to be present for special family milestones, such as a grandchild’s first steps or distant relative’s birthday.
More here:
Note: I assume nbn is what we all still know as the NBN!
Now if we can only fix the retirement income system so they can all afford the Internet at reasonable speeds we will be almost there!
David.
Excellent article David. Doesn't require "thinking outside the square" and such
ReplyDeletebrainless clichés. Just a statement of pure old honest good that can come from the
grand plans that the NBN was intended to solve.
For work experience they can eventually log onto their granddad and watch what he
actually does at work.
Proves that Rudd's conception of the NBN ,on the back of an envelope, was not such
a "dud" idea after all we had been promised.
The many millions of dollars wasted on bird brained e-health systems and solutions
was ,while not cheap, the genesis of something that benefited a vast audience in
Australia.
Regards
Brian