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Stereotypes squashed as middle aged found to be more tech obsessed than the young

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By John Glenday, Reporter

November 25, 2015 | 2 min read

A new report examining the relationship between age and technology usage during meal times has busted the myth that young people are more tech obsessed than their older peers, with middle aged diners more likely to be interacting with some form of screen.

Nielsen

Nielsen’s Global Generational Lifestyles Report found that whilst 46 per cent of 15-20 year olds in generation Z spent meal time’s technology free just 41 per cent of baby boomers aged 50-64 could say the same.

The publication also dispelled notions that younger generations are more reliant on digital sources for news, with the youngest of those surveyed (15-20) and the oldest (65+) equally likely to cite newspaper websites as their primary source of news at 18 per cent.

Although when it comes to TV news websites and search engines the young are a little more likely than the oldest to make use of them at 16 vs 14 per cent and 26 vs 23 per cent.

These differences are even more pronounced when it comes to social media, with Generation Z close to six times more likely than Generation Z to cite the medium as their preferred news source at 45 vs 8 per cent.

Terrie Brennan, Nielsen EVP of advertising solutions for Europe, said: “Millennials may have the biggest reputation for being glued to their connected devices, but older respondents are more likely to be distracted in this way during mealtimes at home than their younger counterparts. It’s a sign that today’s consumers are bucking yesterday’s preconceived generational notions and, in fact, many older people are embracing a more technology-driven world.”

The online survey quizzed 30,000 people across 60 countries on their habits.

Nielsen

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