New TILDA Research Highlights Online Habits of Older Adults in the Age of Our 'New Normal'

A report from researchers at The Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA) investigates the online habits of adults 50 and older in Ireland, according to Medical Xpress . The work is part of an initiative to refocus TILDA's findings to provide a better understanding of relevant aspects of Ireland's senior population and help inform policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data indicates that 71 percent of adults aged 50 and up (1 million) have home Internet access, which decreases with age. Just 38 percent of people 80 and older have home Internet access, versus 86 percent of those 50 to 69 and 66 percent of those 70 to 79. Meanwhile, 68 percent of those 50 and up go online daily (700,000 adults), while 85 percent (870,000 adults) do so at least once a week. Moreover, 64 percent of this population (about 900,000 people) have access to smartphones and tablets — and 79 percent use the Internet for information sharing, 72 percent for sending and receiving e-mails, 43 percent for audio and video calls online, and 40 percent for social media interactions. Thirty percent of solitary older adults lack Internet access, while 74 percent in urban areas have home Internet access versus 67 percent of rural residents. "In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Internet provides a valuable resource for many to maintain social interactions, obtain information, access support services, and engage in online commerce," said Trinity College Dublin's Paul Doody.