Key takeaways Older adults living alone without home broadband may be at greater risk of digital and social isolation. Older adults are not considered typical users of digital technology, so digital products and services aren’t designed with them in mind. People age 75 and older have a substantial drop-off in home broadband adoption and device ownership.Digital ageism amplifies the inequalities and reinforces the digital divide. Older adults are generally one of the largest population groups that face broadband access barriers in the U.S.and contribute to a large portion of the digital divide, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).In a world where we now rely on digital resources across all sectors of our society (healthcare, banking, transportation, information, education and more), it is clear that it is more important than ever to ensure no group is left behind in the fight to close the digital divide, and that includes our older generations.Report explores digital divide among older adults A recently published report from the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society illustrates substantial discrepancies in older adults’ ability to access, afford and use the internet and connected devices to enhance their quality of life. The report states that older adults living alone with no home internet connection may be at greater risk of social isolation. The U.S.
Census Bureau found that in 2021, most older adults in poverty lived alone (63%), compared to only 26% of those not living in poverty.Factor in a lack of broadband access in a society reliant on high-speed internet and these groups can be essentially cut off from significant products, services and information. It also stated that the digital literacy and skill gap becomes most pronounced after age 75.Older adults are not the target consumers for tech companies, so the products aren’t made with their needs in mind.
Digital ageism like this amplifies inequalities and reinforces the digital divide.Benton Institute Older Adults Online Report Older adults online: Measuring internet access and use The Benton Institute published its report, Older Adults Online: Measuring Internet Access and Use, in March 2025 as a guide for states to close the digital divide following the requirements set by the Digital Equity Act (DEA) of 2021.The DEA’s goal is to ensure that all people have access to and can benefit from a high-speed, affordable broadband connection.
The federal government identified older adults (aged 60+) as a group facing significant barriers in accessing and using broadband services. As a result, Congress tasked the states with crafting and implementing strategies to address older adults’ connectivity needs.The Benton Institute’s report was compiled to aid the states in closing the digital divide among older adults. ’65 is not 75 is not 85′ The report outlines a key point for state leaders to remember as they craft strategies to address this issue.The population of older adults is not a single entity but rather should be broken up into separate ones (stratification) with different qualities and connectivity needs. A 60-year-old who is still employed and has exposure to a digital environment is vastly different from a long-retired 85-year-old who has never relied on digital technology in the workplace. The stratification of the older adult population is critical.
The Benton Institute Older Adults Online Report What is the digital divide and digital literacy? The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to digital technology and those who don’t.Think of all things tech, like cell phones, computers, the internet, etc.Digital literacy is the ability to use technology to find, evaluate, organize, create and communicate information. If you’ve ever transferred money in a pinch using your bank’s phone app, sent an important work email while away from the office, submitted a school assignment too close to the deadline, scheduled a virtual doctor appointment to get a prescription or ordered an Uber or Lyft a bit too late at night for public transportation, you can probably understand why having access to digital technology, and the skills to use it, is invaluable. Digital technology has become the norm of daily life, and those without the ability to access it or use it aren’t able to benefit from it, either. Read our complete internet guide for older adults. Why does age matter in internet use? Age matters in internet use for the simple reason that certain age groups, like older adults, face more barriers to accessing the internet than others.
Because of these barriers, the digital divide still exists, and we can’t close it without addressing them. The Benton Institute’s report illustrates the decline of technology access with age.Gaps in service subscription and device ownership begin to be the most pronounced for those over 75, the report states. Only about 66% of households headed by someone over 75 subscribe to wireline broadband, 10 points lower than the national figure and well below the 80% of households ages 60 or younger. Subsequently, subscription figures continue to decline with each five-year age cohort, with only about 45% of those ages 91 and older subscribing to wireline broadband service. The same goes for those who use desktop computers, laptops and cellular subscriptions.Older households trail the national figure by about 10 points, starting at age 76 but sharply declining at age 81 and older. Understanding the disparities among the different age cohorts within the older population can help focus the direction of where resources would be most impactful in closing these gaps. What is the Benton Institute? The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society is a nonprofit organization that aims to “bring open, affordable, high-performance broadband to all people in the U.S.
to ensure a thriving democracy.” Aside from its main goal of a national broadband policy, the Benton Institute also states that it: Connects stakeholders through information sharing and analysis to promise broadband policy debate and conversation. Curates and distributes broadband research and analysis to policymakers, public interest advocates, philanthropy and more. Identifies and highlights best practices and strategies as state and local leaders find ways to advance their broadband goals. Explore affordable internet options Affordable internet options are available through various internet providers and programs. Some providers offer cheap internet options as part of their services, with plans sometimes starting under $20.00/mo.Others offer low-income internet programs for eligible customers.If you or your loved ones meet certain qualifications one of these provider programs can sometimes deliver internet for as low as $15.00/mo. Internet providers often offer deals for new customers as well.
If you’re considering subscribing to a new provider, check out any promotional offers you may be eligible for.This could include discounts, free subscriptions, equipment and tech. Explore the best internet deals of the month. Written by: Camryn Smith As one of Allconnect’s writers, Camryn Smith helps consumers navigate complex home internet services and broadband technology through her helpful content.Using her expertise in the broadband space, Camryn edu… Read more Edited by: Robin Layton Senior Editor, Broadband Content Read bio What to read next Read more Featured Discounted and low-cost internet options for seniors Camryn Smith — 3 min read Featured A community guide to advocating for better broadband services Ari Howard — 7 min read Featured $15/mo.
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