Over 65s internet usage at record levels as Squid Game and Minecraft attract new generation of streamers

The popularity of Netflix dramas such as Squid Game, Bridgerton and Tiger King is driving a significant increase in internet usage among the over 65s, according to new broadband usage data released by connectivity provider TalkTalk.

The data, part of TalkTalk’s latest Internet Insights Report, shows that internet usage among over 65s from July to November this year is up by 69 per cent compared to the same period in 2019*. The increase suggests that the pandemic has significantly changed the way older generations now use the internet in their day-to-day lives.

The use of online streaming services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, are on the rise among over 65s according to new research** from TalkTalk. 41 per cent said they now stream more content than they did before the pandemic, while more than half (54 per cent) said streaming is now among their favourite hobbies.

These are the Top 10 most streamed TV programmes by over 65s

  1. Line of Duty (54%)         
  2. The Crown (47%)
  3. Peaky Blinders (41%)
  4. Bridgerton (40%)
  5. Squid Game (33%)
  6. The Queen’s Gambit (21%)
  7. Handmaid’s Tale (20%)
  8. Tiger King (9%)
  9. Below Deck (7%)
  10. Normal People (7%)

Online gaming is also growing in popularity, with 1 in 10 (12 per cent) taking it up during the pandemic.  

These are the Top 5 most played online video games by over 65s:

  1. Minecraft (82%)
  2. Fortnite (78%)
  3. FIFA (76%)
  4. Player Unknown’s Battle Ground (67%)
  5. Call of Duty (64%)

While streaming and gaming have undoubtedly had a major impact on broadband usage among older demographics, other aspects of their lives are also becoming more online-first. A third (32 per cent) are now using online services for personal admin such as banking and utilities while six in ten (61 per cent) are shopping online. 37 per cent say they now lead a more digitally savvy lifestyle than they did pre-pandemic.  

 

* Average broadband usage of TalkTalk consumer customers aged 65+, July-October 2019 vs July-October 2021 . Given July to November this year was a period largely free of COVID restrictions, and therefore comparable to the same period in 2019.

**National poll of 1,000 over 65s by Mortar research in December 2021

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