Statistics

Tech support scam statistics 2026 reveal a persistent senior-targeted threat. Adults 60 and older reported $159 million in tech support scam losses in 2024, within $2.4 billion in total 2024 fraud losses. Older adults remain more than six times as likely as young adults to lose money to these scams. The data below come from FTC reports through 2024 and include senior internet usage statistics for context. Money lost to tech support scams is not just a dollar total. It reflects how scammers use pop-ups, phone calls, and fake security alerts to isolate older users. Median losses for consumers 80 and older reached $1,600 or more in 2024. For many fixed-income seniors, that is a full budget week. The jump from about $600 million in reported older adult fraud losses in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024 shows acceleration. This matters because more seniors now manage finances and device issues on smartphones. See older adult smartphone statistics for adoption data. FTC reporting shows these crimes are underreported, so actual losses are likely higher. ...

Age-friendly technology demand is rising, but design has not caught up. AARP data shows 64% of U.S. adults 50 and older say technology is not designed for their age group. Meanwhile, 71% want tailored support services. The World Health Organization projects rapid global ageing, making digital inclusion an urgent issue. The gap between demand and design is persistent. Many older adults are not avoiding technology; they are asking for interfaces and support that respect their needs. For context, senior technology adoption statistics show steady device uptake among people 65 and older. The 71% support interest figure suggests providers could reduce frustration by offering direct, patient assistance rather than assuming lower interest. ...

Assistive technology is not a niche category. It is a mass market that remains largely unmet. More than 2.5 billion people need one or more assistive products today. By 2050 that number is projected to reach 3.5 billion. The gap between need and access is wide. See how this connects to digital inclusion statistics. The first table shows a gap that follows income lines. Access ranges widely by country income. That difference is not about demand. It is about cost, supply chains, and trained providers. Without access, daily tasks become harder. Falls, isolation, and lost income often follow. Older adults are a large part of this population. Our senior technology adoption statistics show device use is rising but still uneven. ...

The 2026 digital inclusion picture shows uneven U.S. access. Broadband adoption reaches 94% for households earning $100,000 or more but only 54% for households under $30,000. Adults 65 and older trail younger adults. Data from Pew Research Center highlights gaps by income, age, geography, and race. These gaps matter because health care, banking, and government benefits continue moving online. A person without home broadband may pay more for phone data or skip services. Lower-income and older adults often face the steepest barriers. Step-by-step guidance should work on phones and shared devices. See senior technology adoption statistics for age-specific context. ...

Digital literacy statistics in 2026 show a clear age gap among U.S. adults. About 45% of adults over 80 report the digital skills needed to fully use online technologies, compared with 71% of people 50-59. Adults 55-65 also have the lowest measured problem-solving proficiency in technology-rich environments. This page collects the verified figures that shape senior technology adoption. Low measured proficiency matters because digital tasks now touch bank accounts, health records, and government services. When 30% of adults 55-65 score Below Level 1, a large share of that group may struggle with tasks many people consider routine. The gap is not only about age; it tracks exposure and design. Adults who left the workforce before digital tools became standard have fewer chances to practice. These patterns also shape digital inclusion statistics for communities and families. ...

Senior internet usage statistics 2026 show a clear pattern: most older adults are online, but they connect less constantly than younger users. Pew Research Center data put adoption at 75% for Americans ages 65 and older, while 96% of all U.S. adults use the internet. Daily use is widespread, yet only 14% of seniors report being almost constantly online. For device-level context, see senior technology adoption statistics. Why the age gap matters. Internet access is now the default channel for health records, banking, and government services. A 24-point gap means older adults still face a meaningful disadvantage. Pew Research Center data show daily use is the norm for all U.S. adults, but the intensity of use shifts sharply with age. A 75% adoption rate means 25% of adults 65 and older may miss online health records, banking, and appointment tools. Compare digital inclusion statistics for systemic access factors. ...

Smartphone ownership among U.S. adults ages 65 and older reached 78% in a 2025 Pew Research Center survey. That is up sharply from 61% in 2021, but a wide age gap remains. Adults 75 and older still trail their younger peers. For broader context, see our senior technology adoption statistics 2026. Pew Research Center data show 78% of U.S. adults 65 and older owned a smartphone in 2025. The figure matters because smartphones are the main entry point for video calls, health portals, and banking. The 2021 split was stark: 71% of adults 65 to 74 owned a smartphone, while 43% of those 75 and older did. This gap shapes how technology guidance should be designed. See our digital literacy statistics 2026 for related training data. Pew Research Center publishes the full methodology. ...

Senior technology adoption keeps climbing, but gaps by age remain. Pew Research Center’s 2025 survey shows 78% of Americans 65+ own a smartphone, up from 61% in 2021. Internet use and home broadband still trail younger adults. This senior technology adoption statistics 2026 guide uses only verified Pew and AARP data. The smartphone gap is the headline story. While 78% of seniors now own a smartphone, the figure hides large differences within the 65+ group. A 70-year-old is far more likely to own a smartphone than an 80-year-old. These splits should shape how TechGently writes setup guides and troubleshooting steps. See older adult smartphone statistics for a deeper breakdown. Pew Research Center’s internet and technology adoption surveys track these trends year over year. ...