The nbn™ GranTechies Report reveals the majority of these tech-savvy grandparents (72 per cent) couldn’t imagine their life without the internet.
Australian grandparents are now swapping their knitting for internetting as the explosion of smart devices and increased access to fast broadband are taking over all aspects of their lives, according to a new research report commissioned by nbn.
The nbn™ GranTechies Report reveals the majority of these tech-savvy grandparents couldn’t imagine their life without the internet (72 per cent) with the majority (93 per cent) admitting to jumping online every day.
Key findings of the research, illustrated in the below infographic, include:
- Shopping, streaming and skyping non-stop: Aussie grandparents are now using access to fast broadband for a range of tasks, including using email or Skype to link-in with family and friends (85 per cent), online shopping (59 per cent), and downloading or streaming video content (24 per cent).
- Closing the generational gap: Silver surfers think they are just as tech-savvy as their kids and grandchildren, with almost two thirds (59 per cent) believing their generation are just as savvy as their younger counterparts.
- Connections boost self-esteem: Using the internet isn’t just about feeling connected or less lonely as most Aussie grandparents say that it makes them feel more educated (72 per cent) and purposeful (66 per cent).
- Tech know-how: Grandparents believe it’s very important that they upskill and keep up-to-date on tech trends with more than half eager to learn more through online and face-to-face tutorials (52 per cent).
- Grandsons connect the most: Millennial-men are leading the charge when it comes to staying in touch with their grandparents via social media with almost half (44 per cent) admitting to connecting with Nan and Pop compared with less than a third (29 per cent) of granddaughters.
Nan Bosler, President of the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association said: “Gone are the days where grandparents were thought of as tech dinosaurs – this research shows senior Australians are well and truly riding the tech wave.
“With widespread access to fast broadband via the nbn™ network, GranTechies are moving beyond using the internet to simply keep in contact with family and friends to become more advanced online users. We are seeing an increasing number of Aussie grandparents regularly enjoying “how-to” DIY videos to brush up on their cooking and building skills, downloading and streaming movies and even starting their own interactive blogs,” Bosler says.
There are more than 3 million homes and businesses around the country which can already connect to the nbn™ network with the rollout scheduled to be complete by 2020.
