Our Care Director recently told me about a client’s new daily routine. It starts with an iPad at breakfast for a crossword. Then it moves to YouTube for cooking tutorials. By the afternoon, she’s on social media catching up with family.
When evening hits, she’s still on that screen.
The result? Dry eyes, a stiff neck, and a sleep schedule that’s all over the place. It’s a pattern we’re seeing more and more. Our caregiver and the client agreed to add a “digital detox” goal right into her care plan. Simple things. Regular breaks, device-free meals, and short walks outside.
This isn’t an isolated case. A recent article in The Economist pointed out something fascinating. Clinics built for teen screen addiction are now treating older adults. It noted that in the U.K., people over 75 log more screen hours than younger groups.
We see the same trend right here in Canada. The digital revolution isn’t just for kids. It’s fully arrived in retirement.
The stereotype of the “technophobic grandparent” is dead. Statistics Canada reported that in 2023, nearly 83% of seniors 65 and older use the internet. That’s a huge jump from 2020. For those 75 and up, the number climbed from 62% to 72%.
Another survey found 86% of Canadian seniors go online daily. They’re not just browsing. They’re banking, connecting, and learning.
So, the question isn’t if seniors use technology. The real questions are: How are they using it? And what’s the actual impact on their health?
Busting the Big Myths About Screen Time
As someone building technology for aging-in-place, I hear a lot of misconceptions. These myths aren’t just wrong. They’re often patronizing, and they stop us from having honest conversations about both the risks and the massive opportunities.
Let’s get a few things straight.
Myth #1: “Screens are just bad for seniors. Period.”
This is just flat-out wrong. The type of screen time is what matters.
Think about it. Is watching 10 hours of cable news or tiktok videos the same as spending an hour video-chatting with grandkids? Of course not. One is a passive, draining experience. The other is an active, meaningful connection.
Research backs this up. One major study found that passive screen time (like just watching TV) was linked to a higher risk of dementia. But active screen time (using a computer, playing a brain game, writing an email) was linked to a lower risk.
The takeaway is simple. The device isn’t the enemy. Passive, zombie-like consumption is.
Myth #2: “Too much screen time causes ‘digital dementia’.”
This one makes for scary headlines, but the evidence is shaky. In fact, the opposite can be true. The term itself is designed to frighten, not inform.
When an older adult uses tech for a structured, goal-oriented task, it can actually improve attention and memory. One Canadian-led trial at McGill University earlier this year, had participants do 35 hours of computer-based speed training. The results? Measurable improvements in the brain’s attention network.
The screen itself isn’t toxic. It’s a tool. How you use it determines if it builds you up or wears you down.
Myth #3: “Seniors Can’t (or Won’t) Learn New Tech.”
Let’s tackle a big one. This is the old “can’t teach an old dog new tricks” stereotype. It’s not just wrong. It’s harmful.
This myth is built on the outdated idea that the brain becomes rigid and “fixed” after a certain age. Decades of research in neuroplasticity tell us the opposite. The brain never stops changing and building new connections.
We should think of the brain as a muscle, not a hard drive. A hard drive gets full. A muscle gets stronger with use. If you don’t use it, you lose it.
Studies on this are fantastic. Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas took groups of older adults and had them learn complex, new skills. Some learned digital photography. Others learned how to quilt. What did they find?
Not only could they master these new skills, but the process of learning, the act of struggling, focusing, and building new pathways, led to significant, lasting improvements in memory.
We see this constantly with all the technology companies trying to introduce the next digital moustrap for the seniors. When they introduce a new app or a telehealth tool, the problem is rarely the senior’s ability to learn. It’s their patience in teaching. The real barriers aren’t cognitive. They’re things like a fear of “breaking it,” confusing interfaces designed by 20-year-olds, and tiny fonts you can’t read.
So, the question isn’t “Can they learn?” It’s “Are we willing to teach them properly?”
Myth #4: “Social Media Just Makes Seniors Lonelier.”
Now for a myth that hits close to home for many families. I understand this one. We all worry that a ‘like’ on a photo is replacing a real family visit. We worry that scrolling Facebook just reminds seniors of what they’re missing.
We’ve all seen the warnings about social media, depression, and loneliness, especially for teens.
But for a senior, the equation is completely different.
For a teen, social media might replace in-person time. For an 80-year-old who can’t drive, lives alone, or has family scattered across the country, it’s often the only consistent social connection available.
The research is clear on this. Multiple studies show that for older adults, using social media and communication tech is powerfully linked to decreased feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
It’s a low-energy, high-impact way to stay in the loop. It’s what researchers call “ambient social presence.” It’s not a deep conversation. It’s the simple, comforting knowledge that your family is out there. A photo in the family WhatsApp group. A quick “love you” text from a grandchild. A short video of the dog.
These aren’t trivial. They are vital signals of connection.
The risk isn’t that social media replaces visits. The risk is that we (the family) use it as an excuse to stop visiting. It’s not a replacement for a visit. But isn’t it a thousand times better than silence?
Another risk here is advertising. Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube paddle free drugs in the guise of quick entertainment. But the money they make is from ads. There are a lot of fake ads and toxic links out there to scam the vulnerable. Educating the seniors and occassionally discussing and monitoring what they are up to online can help you protect them.
The Real Risk: When Connection Turns into Compulsion
Social media is a powerful tool. But like any tool, it comes with real risks, which brings us to the dark side of all this connection.
Okay, so we’ve cleared up the myths. But I want to be direct about the real risks we see every day in home care. The main danger is compulsion. It just looks different than it does in teens.
In 2021, a South Korean study found about 15% of adults aged 60-69 were at risk for smartphone addiction. As more Canadian seniors bank online and join social groups, this risk only grows for them too.
In our clients’ homes, we see the downstream effects:
- Late-night scrolling that destroys sleep schedules.
- Constant anxiety from toxic news feeds or scam pop-ups.
- Physical problems. “Tech neck,” eye strain, and poor posture from sitting in one spot for hours.
- Serious financial risk. Scammers are ruthless, and they know seniors are online.
The screen offers a window to the world. But what happens when you forget to look out the actual window?
But Let’s Be Clear: Technology is Also a Lifeline
For every risk, there’s a powerful benefit. This is why we work in this field.
For seniors, especially those with mobility challenges, technology is a lifeline. It’s not a toy. It’s connection. It’s independence. Video calls bridge the gap between provinces. Online forums break the crushing loneliness that can settle in. Telehealth appointments mean getting medical advice without a stressful trip.
I often think of technology like a kitchen knife. In the hands of a chef, it creates a nourishing meal. Handled carelessly, it causes real harm. It’s all about intent and skill.
Research even shows that seniors who use the internet regularly report feeling younger than their actual age. Why? Because they feel more connected, more capable, and more in control of their lives.
A Practical Playbook for Healthy Tech Habits
At ConsidraCare, we don’t just identify problems. We build strategies. Here is the practical playbook we use with families to build healthy tech habits. I recommend you use it too. Tell your elders:
1. Curate Your Content.
Don’t just consume. Treat your digital feed like your diet. Choose quality. Unfollow the accounts that make you anxious. Mute the relative who only posts about politics. You control the “off” switch.
2. Be Active, Not Passive.
Use the screen to do something, not just watch something. Chat with family. Play a puzzle. Learn a language on an app. Write a letter. Organize your digital photos.
3. Set a “Digital Sunset.”
This is critical. No screens for at least one hour before bed. The blue light wrecks sleep. Charge the phone, the tablet, and the laptop in another room, or face down if it acts as a lifeline. Read a book. Listen to music.
4. Protect Your Front Door.
Your device is connected to your bank account. Turn on two-factor authentication for everything. Be deeply, profoundly suspicious of urgent requests for money or gift cards. Your bank will not email you for your password.
5. Move.
This is my favorite (especially being a 53 year old, just discovering the joys of arthritis). It’s the simplest fix. For every hour you sit, get up and move for five minutes. Stretch. Walk down the hall. Look out the window. Get the blood flowing.
The Takeaway: It’s About Intent
Screen time for seniors is exploding. That’s not a good thing or a bad thing. It’s just a fact.
The real story is how we use it.
Used with purpose, tech strengthens the mind and builds connection. Left on autopilot, it can hurt sleep, mood, and physical health. It’s that simple.
So, the most important question isn’t “How many hours are you online?” It’s “What are you doing there?”
And “What are you doing when you log off?”
