Internet Usage Among Seniors

Internet usage among seniors
by: Jeremy Trogg

In 2000, about 14 million people over 60 used the internet. That number was projected to reach 27 million by 2003, according to Jupiter Media Metrix. Older adults still went online less frequently than younger people, but the gap was closing.

Most seniors started with email. From there, they moved to health information, investment advice, and entertainment. Shopping and online discussion groups came later.

This is the same path younger internet users typically followed.

Older Americans control significant wealth. According to the American Banking Association, seniors own 77 percent of the country's financial assets. Yet many businesses assumed older adults simply weren't online.

Corporate America was slow to notice. Many retirees were already spending hours online daily and learning to shop there.

A common mistake was using flashy, complex website designs. Aging eyes need more contrast and larger text, but most companies didn't bother with these adjustments. Those that did could reach a substantial market.

Plenty of white space helps, along with shorter line lengths. Good design benefits everyone, but it's especially important for older readers.

The National Institute on Aging and the National Library of Medicine published guidance on senior-friendly web design. They recommended consistent layouts, clear text, and simple backgrounds to reduce eye strain.

File size mattered too. Many seniors still used dial-up modems, not broadband. Smaller files meant faster loading times and a better experience.

Seniors weren't resistant to technology. They were just unfamiliar with it. Given proper tools and instruction, most adapted quickly and found their lives expanded.