Technology Adoption Continues as Older Adults Integrate Tech into Daily Life

A new national AARP survey finds Americans age 50-plus are leveraging more technology, both in their home and while on the go. And, while limited in acceptance, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has doubled since last year. Still, some remain hesitant to fully embrace new technologies because of data privacy worries and lack of support geared toward older consumers.

Nearly two-thirds (66 percent) of respondents to the online survey of about 3,600 adults say technology enriches their lives by making daily life and aging easier.​ They’re increasingly using digital services to manage their finances, social lives and health and wellness.

Older Americans are welcoming technology to enable them to live in their home as long as possible and have peace of mind. More than 6 in 10 use some kind of smart device to help with security, utilities, appliances and lighting. About half (46 percent) have safety devices, such as alarms and door or drive cameras, and another 40 percent expressed interest in owning them.

Many adults 50-plus also recognize the benefits of health-related tech. Top digital services used for health and fitness include health-tracking apps (71 percent) and fitness classes (59 percent), as well as for medical, telemedicine, and mental health purposes, and games, books and hobbies.

Tech to support caregiving and health needs

For the 70 percent of older Americans who manage chronic health conditions and 27 percent of those over age 50 who are caregivers, advances in technology and digital services have made a significant difference. Health-specific digital services, such as emergency alert devices and telemedicine, are helping individuals monitor their health. Caregivers are embracing or are interested in GPS devices and motion sensors, along with digital services for food delivery, communication, shopping, and medical assistance as they manage their loved one’s situation.

Some digital services older adults use are free, while others have a cost. Some older Americans are willing to pay for these resources or tools.

Spending steady

Tech spending remains steady year over year among older adults, with 2024 showing a slight increase in ownership for primary devices​. In the past 12 months, 67 percent of respondents report making a new tech purchase, spending on average about $753, compared to $798 in 2023. About 2 in 5 indicated they wanted to buy a tech product but decided not to because of financial pressure or inflation.

AI, privacy, and attitudes

Adults 50-plus possess an average of seven tech devices and report using them daily. The most prevalent: smartphone (owned by 91 percent), smart TV (78 percent), laptop computer or netbook (72 percent), tablet (62 percent), Bluetooth headset/ear buds (52 percent), desktop computer (50 percent), wearable device (38 percent) and home assistant (35 percent).

Smartphones continue to be the most common purchase, made by 26 percent of respondents, with most (62 percent) having upgraded their phones in the past two years. When it comes to apps for a fee, respondents are most likely to pay for video or movie streaming, music, fitness classes or smart home security.

The survey indicates AI is gaining traction and triggering some curiosity. Among older Americans, generative AI use has doubled from 9 percent in 2023 to 18 percent in 2024. Another 30 percent are excited about the potential benefit of AI. Respondents who have checked out generative AI are most often using free tools on an app or website; just 10 percent paid a fee. Those with some exposure to AI view it with more potential in terms of making life easier than nonusers, who are more hesitant to embrace the emerging technology.

Concern over data privacy is the biggest barrier to tech adoption, according to one-third of older Americans polled. Other barriers keeping people from engaging with new technology include ease of use (20 percent), set-up and support (19 percent), cost (16 percent) and awareness (12 percent).

Industry takeaways

As people age, AARP finds that older adults opt to try out products after they’ve been on the market for a while. Indeed, most older adults think technology is not designed with their age in mind, although that sentiment is down slightly from 2023. This year’s survey found that just 59 percent feel that way, compared to 64 percent in 2023.

Two-thirds (64 percent) of older adults believe they have the digital skills necessary to fully take advantage of being online. Respondents are very interested (71 percent of those 50-plus) in a tech support service that would be especially tailored to older users.

AARP recommends changes in product design, technical support, education, and awareness in the industry to better serve older consumers and close the adoption gap.

Methodology

The information was gathered from an online survey of 3,605 American adults in September 2024. The survey, which took about 23 minutes to complete, was available both in English and Spanish. The results were weighted according to demographics for U.S. adults ages 18-plus, 18–49 and 50-plus.

For more information, please contact Brittne Kakulla at bkakulla@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.