Tech-savvy seniors on the rise in gadget-crazy Singapore

More seniors are now online, says IDA study.

Older Singaporeans are now more familiar with smartphones and computers, according to the annual Infocomm Usage in Households survey by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.

The survey showed that in 2014, 63% of residents aged 50-59 years used computers, while 27% of residents aged 60 and above did the same.

In addition, the survey showed that internet usage rate by senior citizens aged 50-59 and 60 & above rose significantly to 75% and 31% respectively in 2014, an increase of 24 and 15 percentage-points from 2012 respectively.

In fact, in 2014, more than three-quarter and one-third of senior citizens aged 50- 59 years and 60 years & above respectively used a smartphone to access the Internet in the past 3 months. 

“We are encouraged to see residents becoming more tech-savvy and connected, particularly the silver generation. This is useful to help the industry explore new opportunities to serve our citizens better and help build Singapore into a Smart Nation,” said Steve Leonard, IDA’s Executive Deputy Chairman.