Pandemic Prompts Boom In First Time Tech Users

The pandemic has fuelled a nation of Zoom users, as friends and family connect virtually for the first time during the lockdowns, according to new research from Audley Villages.

• 93% of over 55s have used Zoom for the first time during the pandemic
• As connecting with friends and family virtually has become more and more important through the different phases of the pandemic, 32% of over 55s say they have become better at managing technology
• Using platforms like Zoom (93%), FaceTime (29%), Skype (16%) and WhatsApp (13%) for the first time to keep in touch with loved ones
• But, a good chat on the phone remains top of the list when it comes to how people prefer to catch up with friends and family. 72% of over 55s have used phone calls, followed by email (52%), WhatsApp (50%), texts (48%) and Facebook (40%)
• 21% of over 55s feel more connected with family, compared to the start of the pandemic in March 2020

Research of Audley Villages’ owners also showed that technology has become increasingly important for both how property owners speak with friends and family, but also how they get updates from the teams in the villages:

• 60% of Audley property owners are comfortable with technology, this us up from 48% in 2019
• All types of devices are being used more by Audley owners – with the use of laptops, iPads and tablets and smartphones all increasing over the past year

Paul Morgan, Managing Director of Audley Villages, said: “Technology has become such an important part of our day-to-day lives in the last year. Be it connecting with friends and family, with a quick FaceTime or a birthday Zoom quiz, through to getting a daily workout in. It’s something we have seen more of our property owners embrace through the pandemic. Virtual coffee mornings, workout classes and even the Audley choir recordings now take place on Zoom. It has enabled people to connect in a different way and for some, it has even introduced new friendships.

“At the start of the pandemic we launched an app for our owners, so they could access village updates, get the latest information and book meals from the restaurants. We saw a fantastic uptake. For now, there’s hope that we’ll all be able to meet in person soon, but family Zoom calls might be here to stay.”