Mobile tech usage dips in contrast to rising age, with the younger demographics the biggest users of smartphones, according to Spectrem’s study, “DC participant Mobile Technology Usage.”
A majority of defined contribution (DC) plan participants—eight in ten—report using a smartphone with Internet access and applications (apps), which is slightly higher than PC/Mac users (78%). Tablet and e-reader use lags both, at just 62% of respondents.
Smartphone use by DC plan participants is up significantly from last year’s 71%, while PC/Mac usage shows a faint increase (79%). Tablet and e-reader use, on the other hand, is trending upward. In 2013, usage on these devices was 57%.
It’s no surprise that the youngest respondents in the study show the highest use of smartphones, at 91% of those under 35. Survey respondents between 35 and 49 are still heavy users, at 82%. Use drops as age rises: just 74% of people over the age of 50 use a smartphone. Tablet and e-reader use also dips with age. At least two-thirds of DC plan participants use them, but just 53% of those over the age of 50 use them. Age is not a significant factor in PC/Mac use, with80% of those under 35, compared with 78% of their older counterparts.
Male plan participants are more old-school than women when it comes to mobile technology. Eight-five percent use a PC or Mac versus. 71% of women, while 63% of women use a tablet or e-reader, compared with 61% of men.