Seniors' Screen Surge: Balancing Tech & Family

0:00What's up Anchorage? This is Anchorage News Today, bringing you the city's fastest updates on what is happening now. Older adults are spending more time glued to their phones and social media than ever before. Research shows that you, among people 65 and older, jump from 11% in 2010 to 45% in 2021. Now, adults 50 and up average 22 hours a week on devices, with YouTube leading the pack for seniors. This trend picked up speed during the pandemic, when virtual doctor visits, church services, and family chats push retirees online. Many who retired recently grew up with tech at work, making them as comfortable with smartphones as younger folks. Retirement also brings extra free time, especially for those struggling with sleep. Younger family members are noticing and getting frustrated. Kids in their 20s describe parents scrolling Facebook during dinners or playing games instead of chatting. Online forms are full of similar stories, from dads ignoring talks for Twitter to moms lost in candy crush while the TV drones on.

1:05Experts say it's a problem when screens replace real conversations, signaling avoidance of people. That said, all my connections can fight loneliness, which hit seniors as hard as teens and carries health risks like smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Virtual chats might be a lifeline when in person is impossible. As roles shift, adult children worry about caring for tech obsessed parents. The key is balance embracing helpful tech, without letting it steal family moments. For now, this screen surge among boomers and beyond shows no signs of slowing. Quick thanks to today's sponsor. See the description for more. Podcasts hit different when the sound comes from your pillow. Once you try it, it just makes sense. S-O-L-I-S-O-L-Pillow.com