January 14, 2016

How This Site Blew the Lid Off the Silver Surfer Myth: Internet Use by Older Adults

stick_figure_ride_mouse_400_wht_9283You’ve heard of the Silver Surfer, right? I’m not talking about the comic book hero. This title is also given to older people who surf the ‘net. Are “silver surfers” a myth? Uncommon? Not at all!

Genealogy Gems reader David Sawers recently sent me this fantastic infographic about internet use by older adults (read the accompanying article here). He helped with the research behind the infographic and wants to share it with the genealogical community.

Yay for all the older people who are keeping up with the world online! It’s no small transition for someone who remembers when everyone communicated at a much slower pace and in different ways.

I don’t keep track of the ages of those who follow Genealogy Gems, but now I’m curious. You don’t have to reveal your age outright–but if you’re a “silver surfer,” will you surf over to my Facebook page? Post your memory of how communication happened when you were young: by letter, wire, party line, over the back fence?

older-generations

About Lisa

Lisa Louise Cooke is the Producer and Host of the Genealogy Gems Podcast, an online genealogy audio show at www.GenealogyGems.com. She is the author of the books Genealogy Gems: Ultimate Research Strategies and The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox, and the Google Earth for Genealogy DVD series, an international conference speaker, and writer for Family Tree Magazine.

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