Baby boomers say they are technologically savvy, despite a new study showing half of New Zealanders aged over 50 feel patronised by technology companies, Radio New Zealand reports.
Research by software company AVG Technologies surveyed about 6000 people born between 1946 and 1964, commonly known as baby boomers. It showed 90 percent thought technology had improved their ability to communicate with family and friends. But it also found half of all respondents felt patronised by technology companies when dealing with them.
AVG technologies spokesperson Michael McKinnon said those surveyed felt technology companies treated them as though they were technologically illiterate, and placed too much focus on their age.
Linda Cohen, from Wellington, said she had been treated as old and behind the times by a technology company when she bought a new mobile phone.
“I felt the guy was talking at me and not to me and I wanted to say, 'I'm not a lemon' and just because I have more stripes on me, I'm not an idiot.
“It was really frustrating and I came away feeling insulted,” she said.
The study also showed that about 30 percent of baby boomers said they spent more time communicating with their grandchildren online than they did off-line.
Furthermore, it showed the apps that were used the most by baby boomers were banking and financial devices, at about 60 percent, followed closely by social apps at nearly 55 percent.