It’s not your imagination. We, baby boomers, are spending an inordinate amount of time looking at our computer screens and cell phones. Back in 2019, Pew Research found the 60 and over crowd spent more than half their leisure time (about 4 hours and 16 minutes) in front of screens (mostly online videos). Currently, Nielsen reports that adults 65 and over watch YouTube on their TV twice as much as 2 years ago. Over-50 Americans spend 22 hours per week in front of a screen. One survey found that 40% of adults 59 to 77 say they are anxious or uncomfortable without access to their devices.
I’ve noticed that when I spend time with other boomers in social situations, there is always at least one person who cannot put their phone down and actively responds to texts while trying to remain part of the conversation.
Experts believe that much of the screen-time concerns we face now are rooted in the pandemic, which pushed all of us into greater tech adoption. We Zoomed and adopted other tech resources in order to retain our sanity while trapped in our cocoons.
The same experts believe that not all screen time is equal, especially among boomers. Much of our time online is related to better cognitive function, such as word games, instructional videos, and ordinary conversation with friends and family. For many boomers, tech engagement prevents isolation and loneliness, so there is that distinct upside.
How do you know if you’re getting addicted to your screen devices and when is it all too much? So called soft-brain scrolling AI slop on Facebook all day is quite different from watching a video to learn how to play a guitar. The slop is so pervasive now that it gets scarier by the day. It’s not hard to see some boomers get caught up the lies and falsehoods after watching Shrimp Jesus because they saw it on Facebook.
If you or your boomer friends lack healthy outlets, hobbies and friendships, it’s easy to understand the allure of the screen. The only advice is put down the phone, shut off the computer and seek help before its too late. Of course you’ll have to Google where to find help before you shut down the iPhone.
Jay Harrison is a writer and creative consultant for DesignConcept. His most recent mystery novel, Rio Puerco Demise is available on Amazon. His first mystery novel, Head Above Water, is also available on Amazon. But that’s not all. You can also purchase the Best of BoomSpeak on Amazon.
