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How many adults actively use Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp? How does this vary by country? How has their share shifted over time? This MetaFAQs shows the number of online adults who reported using these social networks in the previous 30 days in the US, Germany, and the UK.
Continue reading “Active use of social networks Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp by country [MetaFAQs]”Social networks’ power comes alive with its connections, so people want to be where their friends and contacts are. However, not all networks are the same, and some people choose different ones. How many social networking platforms do Americans actively use? Are they broadly connected to a wide number, or do they only use a few? This MetaFAQs shows the distribution of online American adults by the number of social networks they actively used – having connected in the prior 30 days. These include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, SnapChat, Twitch.tv, Tumblr, Nextdoor, and others.
Continue reading “How many social networks do Americans actively use? [MetaFAQs]”The power of social networks comes alive with its connections, so people want to be where their friends and contacts are. However, not all networks are the same and some people choose different ones. How many social networking platforms do Americans actively use? Are they broadly connected to a wide number or do they only use a few? This MetaFAQs shows the distribution of online American adults by the number of social networks they actively used – having connected in the prior 30 days.
For the above analysis, the following social networks were included: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, SnapChat, Google+, Twitch.tv, Tumblr, Nextdoor, and Imgur. The average (mean) number of these social networks actively used is 2.2.
MetaFAQs are answers to frequently asked questions about technology users. The research results showcase the TUP/Technology User Profile study, MetaFacts’ survey of a representative sample of online adults profiling the full market’s use of technology products and services. The current wave of TUP is TUP/Technology User Profile 2020, which is TUP’s 38th annual.
Current subscribers may use the comprehensive TUP datasets to obtain even more results or tailor these results to fit their chosen segments, services, or products. As subscribers choose, they may use the TUP inquiry service, online interactive tools, or analysis previously published by MetaFacts.
On request, interested research professionals can receive complimentary updates through our periodic newsletter. These include MetaFAQs – brief answers to frequently asked questions about technology users – or TUPdates – analysis of current and essential technology industry topics. To subscribe, contact MetaFacts.
How many adults regularly use Instagram? Is there an age skew? How does any age skew vary by country? This MetaFAQs reports on the active use of Instagram by age group and country.
Continue reading “Active use of Instagram by age group and country [MetaFAQs]”Net usage of any of the three major Facebook platforms – Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp – reflects a reach into the majority of online adults. However, this market penetration varies by age group and country. This MetaFAQs reports on the market penetration for users of any of these three platforms in the US, UK, and Germany across four age groups.
Continue reading “Active use of Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp by age group and country [MetaFAQs]”How has Facebook’s active market penetration changes over the last five years? Where does it stand today? How does this compare by age group and country? This MetaFAQs shows the reported active use of Facebook by four age groups in the US, UK, and Germany between 2016 and 2020.
Continue reading “Active use of Facebook by age group and country [MetaFAQs]”With videoconferencing entering the mainstream and getting a recent boost during pandemic stay-at-home orders, there was a possibility that smart displays would get broad market acceptance. Based on our most recent research results in TUP/Technology User Profile 2020, market penetration is still quite small.
Continue reading “Smart displays barely visible [MetaFAQs]”Ad blocking is an active practice among many online adults. This MetaFAQs looks at the active use of ad-blocking software among the users of any of Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp compared to those not using those platforms. This is detailed for six countries: the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, China, and India.
Continue reading “Active Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp users block ads above average [MetaFAQs]”Users of the hyper-local social network Nextdoor have developed a reputation distinct from Facebook or Instagram users. This MetaFAQs details the generational age distribution of American adults that sometimes use Nextdoor, only use Nextdoor instead of other major social networks, as well as those who actively use Facebook, Instagram, or any major social network.
Continue reading “Why do Nextdoor users say “get off my lawn!”? [MetaFAQs]”Ageism is widespread in the tech industry. Many younger computer experts had a good laugh when a recent call went out for COBOL programmers. That was, until these relative newbies realized how many citizens would be left waiting for financial support after the recent surge in demand for unemployment checks. Computer experts were even more chagrined then they heard about the hiring bonuses being offered and realized they did not have relevant skills.
As seniors “invaded” Facebook over the last decade, raising the average age bar to its present heights, (age 45 in the US and Germany), younger adults expanded their social networking to additional sites and apps that let them still keep some distance.
Meanwhile, parents and grandparents alike still crave connection, and increasingly find it online. Consequently, we’re seeing rapid adoption Zoom and FaceTime, as well as broader adoption of home delivery services.
Seniors are more tech-savvy than they may want to reveal. 95% have used a personal computer (PC or Mac). Their average (mean) experience is 27 years, with 75% or seniors having first started using one 22 or more years ago, half 30 or more years ago, and 25% starting 37 or more years ago. Over half of seniors 60+ have been using one type of personal computer or another for 30 years.
Seniors grew up with computers. A senior today would likely have been a working adult as PCs grew into widespread use. A 60-year old today would have been 24 when Apple released its first Macintosh and 21 when IBM released its first PC.
Nearly three-fourths (73%) of seniors 60 or older are using a Windows PC as their primary computing device. An Apple iPad accounts for 10%, and 6% an Apple Mac or MacBook. Only 8% use an Android tablet or Chromebook.
Many seniors adopt technology quickly when they choose to. And, they are even more likely to when it involves connecting with family members like grandchildren or distant children. Group video calls, such as with Zoom, have grown quickly among seniors. Less than a year ago, we found only 3% of American seniors 65+ doing any regular multi-person video calls or meetings. In our research today (May 1, 2020), we found that 36% have made group video calls since February 1st, 2020.
We have also found that one-to-one video calls have increased, although not as rapidly. Currently, more than a third of seniors are regularly or have recently made video calls. Based on our TUP/Technology User Profile 2019 wave, 23% were making personal video calls. That is now up to 39%.
Only one in four seniors living alone are staying connected with others through video calls and meetings. The highest use of video calls or meetings is among senior households with 2 or more people. Among households with 2 persons, the rate is effectively half – 50% for one-to-one video calls and 47% for multi-person video calls. For homes with 3 or more persons, the rate is nearly as high. With new things such as technology services, it can help to have someone nearby to show how to use it.
Zoom is the most-widely used platform for video calls with multiple people. One in four (24%) of seniors age 60 and higher use Zoom, which is far above the penetration of other platforms. Microsoft’s tools, when combined, make up 8%. Skype makes up most of this set, with 5% of seniors using it. A small percentage of seniors are using Microsoft’s Teams service, primarily those employed full-time or part-time.
For one-to-one video calls, there are a host of choices seniors use. These include FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, and Skype. It is not surprising to see FaceTime, as it is already integrated with nearly all Apple iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Facebook is cross-platform, allowing users to more easily connect with friends who may be using a Windows PC or an Android smartphone. Skype is part of Microsoft Office, and since seniors have a high share of Windows PC, it is likely a choice that is near to hand. Zoom only ranks 4th for one-to-one calls, so it has not fully taken over as a communication platform among seniors.
Of the 26% of seniors age 60 or older who are employed full-time or part-time, over half (55%) are working from home. Three weeks ago, we found in our April 8th survey that 61% of age 55+ adults were working from home, an effectively similar rate.
Many seniors are using delivery services for groceries, takeout, or medicine. Use of these convenience services are not among the majority, however. Although current stay-at-home orders vary by region, grocery and medicinal shopping is considered an essential task and these delivery substitutes aren’t available everywhere.
As long-experienced techies continue aging, they will join the corps of elders bringing along many of their present expectations and demand. Their years of tech exposure along with their predominantly higher generational wealth make them an increasingly important market segment to understand.
However, intergenerational squabbles, distrust, and misunderstanding have persisted for eons. In the US, many advertisers and marketers direct their messages and attention towards youth, or at least towards youthfully aspiring images. While younger adults of means are often the earliest adopters of technology products or services, technology adoption does not suddenly stop at some fixed age.
As the saying goes, old dogs can learn new tricks.
TUPdates feature analysis of current or essential technology topics. The research results showcase the TUP/Technology User Profile study, MetaFacts’ survey of a representative sample of online adults profiling the full market’s use of technology products and services. The current wave of TUP is TUP/Technology User Profile 2020, which is TUP’s 38th annual. TUPdates may also include results from previous waves of TUP.
Current subscribers may use the comprehensive TUP datasets to obtain even more results or tailor these results to fit their chosen segments, services, or products. As subscribers choose, they may use the TUP inquiry service, online interactive tools, or analysis previously published by MetaFacts.
On request, interested research professionals can receive complimentary updates through our periodic newsletter. These include MetaFAQs – brief answers to frequently asked questions about technology users – or TUPdates – analysis of current and essential technology industry topics. To subscribe, contact MetaFacts.