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Telstra launches search for tech savvy Australian seniors
Telstra has launched the search for Australia’s most “retired and wired” senior to debunk the stereotype that older Australians are more comfortable with a crossword puzzle than a smartphone.
The launch of Telstra’s “Retired & Wired” initiative is supported by a new Telstra report by social researcher Mark McCrindle that shows an increasing number of seniors are surfing the web, trading up to a smartphone, making video calls or among one of the 500,000 seniors ‘liking’ Facebook.
The research reveals seniors are keeping up with technology trends with one in three Australians aged 65 or older online daily and more than a third using online banking. Mobile technology is also popular, with 70 per cent of seniors owning a mobile phone and using it to send at least one text message per day.
Key findings- Age of reason: Seniors currently comprise almost one in five Australians, with this number set to increase to one in four by the year 2050.
- Technology is the new black: The average Australian senior sends at least one text message every day.
- Staying connected: Seniors are increasingly likely to use more sophisticated mobile phone features such as taking and sending photos, recording video, using apps, accessing the internet and even downloading ringtones.
- How we connect: Older Australians are most likely to email friends (27%), read the news (20%) or use social media (12%).
Telstra Executive Director Consumer, Rebekah O’Flaherty, said the “Retired & Wired” search to find Australia’s most technology savvy senior was set to prove competitive.
“We are on the search for the quintessential logged on, linked in, tech savvy senior,” Ms O’Flaherty said.
“This generation has witnessed the greatest technology revolution. These technology adaptors have experienced around six decades of change when you consider the introduction of new technologies such as television, computers, mobiles and the internet.”
Ms O’Flaherty said finalists would be selected to compete in a series of challenges, from downloading music to blogging and using a Telstra T-Touch Tab®.
“The finalists will each win a Technology Prize Pack consisting of a Pre-Paid Telstra T-Touch Tab and a Pre-paid Telstra Wi-Fi device to help them compete in the finals. And, excitingly, the ultimate winner will walk away with $10,000 in cash and be given a national platform to share their technology tips and tricks,” she said.
Social researcher Mark McCrindle said: “We are living in a highly connected world and today’s seniors are actively embracing the latest technologies. It’s no longer considered just a young-person’s domain. The majority of retired Aussies report they’re excited by new technologies and use them to improve their quality of life,” McCrindle said. “And many demonstrate a greater level of skill than people half their age.”
Retired & Wired - Overview
To nominate yourself or someone you know in the “Retired & Wired” search visit: telstra.com.au/retired-wired or facebook.com/telstra.
Reference Number: 124/2011
