Four in 10 younger adults feel they are closer than ever to their grandparents – as the older generation are increasingly using smartphones to stay connected, research has found.
A poll of 2,000 adults, who use smartphones and celebrate Christmas, found that 39% of the younger generation would describe their grandparents as digitally savvy when it comes to their mobile devices.
As a result, those who are in contact with their grandparents typically speak to them six times a month – with a quarter chatting over mobile phones, while 38% catch up in WhatsApp groups.
And with Christmas approaching, 58% of the grandparents polled believe their devices help them to feel more connected with loved ones during the holiday season.
In fact, between Christmas Eve and New Year, the older generation will spend 27 hours glued to their phone screens – an average of three hours a day. This is just an hour less than digitally native millennials, who expect to be on their devices for four hours a day over the same period.
The top ways older adults will use their smartphones this festive season include chatting to loved ones on messenger apps (49%), enjoying video calls (31%), and scrolling through their favourite social media app (28%). Meanwhile, three in 10 want to capture pictures and videos of all the festivities.
It even emerged that 12% have added a new smartphone to their Christmas wish list – ahead of scarves and gloves (8%), and gardening equipment (7%).
The research was commissioned by Motorola, whose general manager, Miles Norman, said: “Older generations are embracing their smartphones in more ways than you might imagine.
“Equipped with smartphones and tablets, they're navigating the latest digital trends with a determined effort to connect with loved ones.
“It’s heart-warming to learn that welcoming technology has empowered this generation to create new, and reinforce old, connections. Age has no limit for today’s technology.”
The research went on to find that, like their younger counterparts, grandparents aren’t just using social media to scroll through feeds, as almost one in five (18%) are posting on Instagram.
One in 10 (11%) are flexing their creative muscles with YouTube videos, and an impressive 6% are even creating content on the favourite Gen Z app, TikTok.
It also emerged smartphone users’ top priority for a device is cost (63%), followed by battery life (53%), the OnePoll research found.
But staying connected is among the favourite things about having a smartphone, as 45% love being able to connect with friends and family in different ways. Meanwhile, one in three grandparents (34%) love to stay updated with pictures of the grandkids.
Miles Norman, from Motorola UK, which commissioned the poll to celebrate the arrival of the moto g84 5G, added: “In recent years, we’ve noticed a clear trend with consumers looking for more accessible technology that will enable them to easily create and sustain meaningful connections with loved ones. We want to help everyone experience the joys of staying connected, especially at Christmas.”
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