Baby Boomers and Digital Technology Silver Summit – Washington DC March 28, 2012 Lee Rainie: Director, Pew Internet Project Email: Lrainie@pewinternet.org

Generational self-definition

Internet users – 80%

Broadband at home – 64%

Digital devices 96% 94% 87% 84% 77% 52% 88% 55% 67% 62% 61% 48% 29% Millennials (18-34) Gen X (35-46) Younger Boomers (47-56) Older Boomers (57-65) Silent Generation (66-74) G.I. Generation (75+) All online adults (18+) Cell phone 96% 94% 87% 84% 77% 52% 88% Desktop computer 55% 67% 62% 61% 48% 29% 57% Laptop computer 70% 63% 58% 49% 32% 14% 56% iPod or MP3 player 69% 36% 24% 10% 5% 44% Game console 38% 19% 8% 3% 42% e-Book reader 25% 18% 12% 9% Tablet, like iPad 23% 16%

Smartphones – 46%

Wireless connectors – 63%

Download apps– 46%

Use social networking sites – 52%

Mean size of SNS network

Internet activities – 1 % of internet users

Internet activities – 2 % of internet users

Internet activities – 3 % of internet users

Big changes in messaging environment Users are in charge of the media “playlist” Attention zones are fracturing Influencers are different – “amateur experts” Feedback and participation are assumed aspects of “media” encounters Transparency is a new marker of trust and trust is eroding in big institutions – including the church and media enterprises Social networks are more important than ever

Social networks are more influential - 1 What does this mean? Social networks are more influential - 1 Sentries

Social networks are more influential - 2 What does this mean? Social networks are more influential - 2 Evaluators

What does this mean? Audience = New media are the new neighborhood Social networks are more influential - 3 Audience = New media are the new neighborhood

Be not afraid

Thank you!