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Baby Boomers Driving Technology Trends
By Anna Johnson on December 7th, 2009Research by Microsoft and AARP indicates that more than any generation before or since, ‘baby boomers’ (those born between 1946 and 1964) are driving trends in technology.
In May 2009, Microsoft and AARP sponsored a series of focus group-like discussions with baby boomers in four U.S. cities – San Francisco, Phoenix, Chicago and New York – led by author and futurist Michael Rogers. Participants discussed their technology-related experiences, insights and expectations and how their personal values shape the way they choose and use technology.
Set out in a report,’Boomers and Technology: An Extended Conversation‘ the findings indicate that baby boomers are at the forefront of technology design and adoption.
According to Rob Sinclair, director of Accessibility at Microsoft:
“When new technology products enter the market – products that are well-designed and can help create the life baby boomers want – they are enthusiastic early adopters who help lead the way.”
Moreover, baby boomers are both a demographic and economic force to be reckoned with. In 2010, one-third of the U.S. population – 106 million Americans – will be aged over 50 and will control 50 percent of the country’s discretionary spending.
According to Adam Sohn, director of Integrated Communications for AARP (a membership and advocacy organization for people age 50 and older) baby boomers’ values and ideals, more than their purchasing powers, are impacting technology trends:
“Baby boomers want technology that reflects their values and helps them express those values with greater purpose, meaning and impact. While boomers are heavy users of technology today – for everything from entertainment and news to online banking and social networking – what’s most exciting is the technology-assisted world they are helping to create.”
Michael Rogers says that baby boomers are less likely than younger generations to take technology for granted yet neither are they dazzled by technology. By embracing innovative technology that “enhances their lifestyles and values, baby boomers are having a tremendous influence on emerging technologies.”
Said Sohn:
“Baby boomers appreciate cool software and devices as much as anyone, but they also believe technology has the power to help bring about positive social change, and they want to make that happen. “Boomers care deeply about social justice and individual freedoms, and they see technology as a tool that people can use to improve their lives and make the world a better place — from making society more democratic to helping all of us participate more fully and more directly in the decisions that affect us.”
What kinds of technologies does Michael Rogers see baby boomers adopting in the not-so-distant future?
Among other things, health-related technologies that help boomers monitor their physical well-being, technologies to help them more pro-actively care for their aging parents, and tools that enable them to monitor and control energy use in their ‘green’ homes.
