Overview
- The representative survey of 1,004 people aged 65 and over was conducted in September and October 2025 and released in Berlin with the federal family ministry.
- Internet use declines sharply with age within the group: 98% for ages 65–69, 85% for 70–74, 64% for 75–79, and 49% for those 80 and older.
- Communication and everyday services dominate among users, with widespread email and texting, substantial social media and video calls, and many doing online banking and shopping.
- Older adults rate their digital skills at an average school grade of 3.2, while non-users most often cite lack of knowledge, data-security fears, and no available help as reasons to stay offline.
- Awareness of artificial intelligence is high and about half report using it, as policymakers highlight helplines, local courses, the Digitaler Engel initiative, and March 2026 information-bus visits to expand support.