Older folks are still not that into smartphones or digital media: Report

Even though consumer technology has become increasingly mainstream and easy to use, penetration in older demographics is still low, according to a report from McKinsey.

McKinsey defines two major demographics: Digital Media Junkies, who are 28 years old on average, and Traditionalists, who are 48 years old on average.

The report states that Junkies are three times more likely to be early adopters on new technology than Traditionalists. And Junkies now account for 19 percent of McKinsey's survey respondents, up from 7 percent in 2008, while Traditionalists remain the same at 24 percent. The research suggests that barely any Traditionalists do not own smartphones, tablets, or e-readers. Maybe these technologies aren't so "mainstream" after all.

Junkies own more tech devices than Traditionalists (and overwhelmingly so). 85 percent own game consoles, 84 percent own portable media players, and 67 percent own smartphones. How many Traditionalists own smartphones? 12 percent. Traditionalists still strongly before print newspapers over accessing news via tablets or e-readers. Just 2 percent of them own a tablet, and just 3 percent own an e-reader.

Gaming is also divisive, with nine in ten Junkies gaming but less than a quarter of Traditionalists gaming. Same goes for online video consumption, where 84 percent of Junkies do so but just 18 percent of Traditionalists, and social media, at 82 percent versus 32 percent.

Junkies are 62 percent male while Traditionalists are 61 percent female.

Photo: TeleRead