Seniors embrace smartphones as digital adoption soars to 90% in 2025

More older adults are embracing smartphones and digital tools to stay connected and active. A recent report from Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) shows that 90% of seniors now use these devices, up from 55% in 2016. Technology is proving useful for tasks like shopping, travel, and maintaining social ties. The shift in smartphone use among older adults has grown rapidly over the past decade. According to the AARP, adoption rose from just over half in 2016 to nearly all seniors today. On average, they now use around 10 apps each, with almost 90% engaging with social media platforms.

Aida Orellana, a 61-year-old grandmother, spends up to five hours daily on Instagram and Facebook. Her phone serves as a planner, news source, GPS, photo storage, and a way to chat with friends. OATS founder Tom Kamber highlights how technology assists older adults with transport, shopping, and socialising.

Research also suggests that moderate technology use can delay cognitive decline and slow dementia progression. It helps reduce isolation and supports brain health, though experts stress the need for balance to avoid physical inactivity.

In 2025, OATS’s Senior Planet programme reached over 850,000 older adults nationwide. Of these, 200,000 were in and around New York City, showing the growing demand for digital literacy support among seniors. The rise in smartphone use among older adults reflects broader changes in how this group engages with technology. With most seniors now online, programmes like Senior Planet are helping them use digital tools effectively. The trend offers both social and cognitive benefits, provided usage remains balanced and purposeful.