My 73-year-old mother uses her smartphone for mobile banking, video calls with grandkids, online shopping, and managing her medical appointments. She’s on Facebook daily (for better or worse), books her own travel, and recently figured out how to use QR code menus at restaurants.

Ten years ago, she was intimidated by computers. The shift has been remarkable, and she’s far from unique.

The Numbers Tell a Story

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, internet usage among Australians 65+ has jumped from 59% in 2016-17 to 87% in 2024-25. That’s faster growth than any other age group.

Smartphone ownership in the same demographic went from 48% to 81% over the same period. These aren’t people being dragged reluctantly into the digital age – many are actively seeking out these tools.

The pandemic accelerated things dramatically. Telehealth, online shopping for groceries, video calls with isolated family members – suddenly digital literacy wasn’t optional anymore. Many older Australians who’d resisted technology for years learned out of necessity.

And here’s the key thing: once they learned, many kept using it. The barrier wasn’t ability; it was seeing the value and having a reason to get over the initial learning curve.

What They’re Actually Using

Video calling is huge. FaceTime, WhatsApp video, Zoom – older Australians figured these out fast when it meant seeing grandchildren during lockdowns. This use case stuck because the value is obvious.

Mobile banking has high adoption once people get past the initial security concerns. The convenience of not driving to a branch, especially in regional areas, is compelling.

Streaming services like Netflix and Stan are increasingly popular. Choosing what to watch when you want is a better experience than traditional TV schedules, regardless of age.

Online shopping for groceries, medications, and general retail. Again, convenience wins – particularly for people with mobility issues or those living in areas with limited retail options.

Health management apps for tracking medications, booking appointments, and accessing test results. MyGov and myHealthRecord have rough interfaces, but lots of older Australians navigate them successfully.

The Barriers That Remain

It’s not all smooth sailing. Real obstacles still exist:

Interface design often assumes digital fluency. Small text, unclear navigation, and interfaces that change frequently are genuine problems. Many apps prioritize aesthetics over usability.

Security anxiety is totally rational. Scams targeting older Australians are rampant and sophisticated. The fear of clicking the wrong thing or falling for a scam holds people back.

Support networks matter enormously. Older people who have family members or friends to help with tech troubleshooting adopt much faster than those who don’t. When something breaks and you don’t know how to fix it, it’s incredibly frustrating.

Accessibility issues are often ignored by app developers. Vision impairment, reduced fine motor control, cognitive changes – these affect how people interact with technology, but most interfaces aren’t designed with these considerations.

Why the Stereotype Persists

The image of tech-confused seniors is outdated but persistent. Partly it’s because tech companies market primarily to young people. Partly it’s generational stereotyping.

But there’s also selection bias. When an older person struggles with technology, it confirms the stereotype. When they use it competently, it’s unremarkable.

I watch people at cafes and on public transport. Plenty of older Australians are scrolling their phones just as much as younger ones. We just don’t notice because it doesn’t fit our expectations.

The Regional Factor

Technology adoption among older Australians is actually solving some regional access problems. If you live somewhere without nearby specialists, telehealth is huge. If your nearest bank closed its branch, mobile banking matters more.

Rural and regional older Australians often have stronger motivation to get online because the alternatives are worse. Driving 40km to pay a bill in person versus doing it from home? Technology wins.

The Learning Curve Has Flattened

Devices are genuinely easier to use than they were a decade ago. Touchscreens are more intuitive than mice and keyboards for many people. Voice assistants remove typing barriers.

Apps have improved (mostly). Onboarding flows guide new users better. Design patterns have standardized across apps, so learning one makes others easier.

The younger generation also learned all this as kids or in their careers. Today’s 70-year-old might have used computers at work for years. They’re not starting from zero.

The Future Is Even More Digital

As the boomer generation ages into their 70s and 80s, they’ll bring higher baseline digital literacy than previous generations. They were using computers in the 1990s and 2000s. Email isn’t new to them.

This means technology designed for older users will become a bigger market. We’re already seeing it with larger phones, simplified interfaces, and features like fall detection.

The companies that figure out how to serve this demographic well will do extremely well financially. Australia’s population is aging, and older Australians have disposable income.

What Could Be Better

Better design standards for accessibility. Not as an afterthought, but built in from the start.

More realistic security education that doesn’t just scare people but teaches actual safe practices.

Better support options that don’t assume everyone can Google their way to a solution or sit on hold for 45 minutes.

Age-friendly interfaces as options, not patronizing separate apps. Just good, clear design that works for everyone.

The Bottom Line

The narrative that older Australians can’t or won’t use technology is increasingly wrong. They’re online, they’re using smartphones, and adoption is accelerating.

Sure, average tech fluency is probably lower than younger demographics. But the gap is closing fast, and the stereotype is doing real harm by lowering expectations and limiting design thinking.

My mum’s not an outlier anymore. She’s increasingly typical. Companies and policymakers who still think otherwise are missing what’s actually happening.

The digital divide is real, but it’s getting narrower. And that’s genuinely good news.