The epidemic has caused an explosion in Internet use among Quebec seniors: 78% of them now surf the Internet every day, compared to only 62% in 2019.
However, they still lag far behind the provincial average of 89%.
This was revealed in the NETendances 2022 survey by the Laval University Digital Transformation Academy published on November 30.
“We are not surprised by these figures, because over the years, we have observed the willingness of seniors to adapt to new technologies, and the epidemic has accelerated things,” noted Gisèle Tassé-Goodman, president of the dedicated Réseau FADOQ. For the Quebecers of the Golden Age.
Since his incarceration, he has seen an uptick in the popularity of digital training workshops offered by his company, “especially in terms of Facetime, video calls, online shopping, etc.”
One of the biggest benefits of Internet connectivity is that it breaks down isolation, and even after incarceration, adults retain their digital skills.
“I always give the example of a grandmother sitting at the end of her kitchen table with coffee, and she’s talking to her grandchildren on FaceTime,” says Ms.me Tassé-Goodman, we have such testimony. »
Two-thirds of those surveyed believe the Internet helps them enjoy social interactions (69%) and better well-being (63%).
But the web is also popular as a tool for physical health. In fact, less than 59% of seniors used it to make an appointment with a professional, renew a prescription, or participate in online counseling. By comparison, only 31% of them did so in 2019.
In addition, 65-year-olds and older enjoy reading news (49% do), watching videos (41%) and browsing social media (34%).
Big differences
However, not all citizens of the Golden Age benefited equally from the opportunities offered by technology.
Those earning $20,000 a year or less are far behind, while the majority (55%) don’t even have an internet subscription.
“If I’m making $20,000, the first question I ask myself is, ‘Am I going to eat three meals a day or pay for my medicine this month?’ “, maintains Pierre Lynch, president of the Quebec Association for the Defense of the Rights of Retired and Pre-Retired Persons (AQDR).
According to the last census, 302,095 Quebecers aged 65 or older live on less than $20,000 a year. This is 18.9% of them.
Similarly, while the majority of respondents say technology helps them isolate, gain better access to essential services and improves their well-being, only a minority of the less fortunate say the same.
Mr. Lynch says she sees a real difference between seniors who have access to information technology and those who don’t. “Imagine, you’re alone in your apartment for months and you don’t have a chance to talk to anyone,” he says. Sometimes, you may have the television on, but you can’t exchange or mention what you’re doing. »
“The real solution is to increase the potential income of most seniors,” he thinks. He also recommends creating a ministry dedicated to them.
Less connected areas
Another source of inequality is where one lives. “There are two realities: urban reality and rural reality,” says Mr. Lynch explains. If you venture into rural reality, you may find that even high-speed Internet access is limited to a few small islands. »
The survey reflects this reality: while almost all Montreal respondents are connected (91%), those in Centre-du-Québec are only 67%.
François Legault promised to provide high-speed Internet access to all Quebec households in 2018, which is still a work in progress. “We welcome what the government has done, but we still need to ensure that it is completed as quickly as possible,” Ms.me Tasse-Goodman.
The Digital Transformation Academy is a joint creation of the Government of Quebec and Laval University. Between March and July 2022, 774 Quebecers aged 65 or older participated in the survey. Respondents were interviewed not only online but also by phone. Results were weighted according to several demographic variables. The margin of error is 3.5%, 19 times out of 20.
“Music geek. Coffee lover. Devoted food scholar. Web buff. Passionate internet guru.”
