Silver Surfers: Older Americans Are Logging More Screen Time Than Ever

Older Americans may be more tech-savvy than many realize — and their screen time habits now closely resemble those of their children and grandchildren.

A new survey of 2,000 adults age 50 and older found that respondents spend an average of 22 hours per week in front of some type of screen, whether its a TV, phone, computer or tablet. The survey, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Centrum Silver, explored the relationship between aging, screen use, and cognitive health, revealing that older adults are as digitally engaged as any other generation.

Most respondents said their screen time is spent watching television, searching the internet, playing games, or working on a computer. Many also spend part of each day video chatting with family, scrolling through social media, or reading on e-readers and tablets.

Yet despite their regular screen use, older Americans still hear that too much time in front of a screen can be harmful — with 39% believing it can be “addictive” and 23% worried it could “rot the brain.” That anxiety reflects a larger concern: 78% of older adults said they worry about cognitive aging, and 96% consider maintaining memory and mental sharpness a top priority.

“The survey findings reveal a real tension: many older adults see screen time as a daily part of life, even as they worry it could be harmful,” said Josh Gabriele, Brand Director at Centrum. “Yet when used actively with intention — like reading, learning, playing certain games or connecting with others — recent research shows that screen time can actually help keep the mind engaged and resilient.”

While concerns persist, most older adults recognize the benefits of technology. A majority said screen time helps them feel more connected (58%) and up-to-date (54%), while others said it makes them feel more educated (39%) and improves their mood (36%).

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents believe its important to stay engaged with new technology, and more than half (54%) said doing so has improved their memory. In fact, one in three said regular screen time itself helps them stay mentally sharp.

“What this tells us is that older adults already have a wide toolkit of everyday habits to support their brain health — from puzzles and reading to staying curious and connected,” Gabriele said. “Importantly, this study found nearly half (45%) of adults over 50 take a multivitamin as part of their routine. These findings reinforce a broader truth: older adults arent just consuming content — theyre actively building routines that help keep their minds sharp. And whether through games, learning new skills, or incorporating a trusted daily multivitamin, theyre proving that screen time can also be brain time.”

When asked how they support their cognitive abilities, respondents cited doing puzzles or playing games (67%), reading (59%), keeping up with current events (47%), watching movies and TV (45%), taking a multivitamin (45%), trying new things (36%), learning about technology or trends (35%), and using technology regularly (34%).

The findings suggest that while older adults may have grown up in an analog world, theyve fully embraced the digital one.