On the way to the 2013 National Association of Science Writers (NASW) meeting in Gainesville, Fla., I met Rosie Klingman in the Las Vegas International Airport on where she was charging her cell phone while waiting for a plane. Rosie remembers Mr. Wizard, and like many Baby Boomers, she’s interested in science.
Rosie is the first fan of The Fourth Helix.
Here are some statistics about Baby Boomers, the Internet and science.
The demographic
- The Baby Boom generation, the group of individuals born between 1946 and 1964, constitutes 35 percent of the U.S. adult population. There are 81 million Baby Boomers.
- The Baby Boom generation has been and still is the largest consumer group in the United States, with more income and wealth than any other demographic.
An interest in and need for science news
- According to a recent National Science Foundation survey of public attitudes and understanding of science and technology, Americans have consistently expressed an interest in science and technology, with 41% reporting moderate interest in new scientific discoveries.
- However, many Americans continue to lack understanding about basic factual knowledge regarding science or the scientific inquiry process.
The Internet as a source of science and technology information for Baby Boomers
- Currently Americans are as likely to rely on the Internet as on television for their primary source of science and technology information.
- The U.S. population as a whole is interested in science news, and Baby Boomers already are frequent users of the Internet.
- A list of “The 10 Best Sites for Baby Boomers” by Jennifer L. DeLeo does not include a Boomer-specific science and technology website.
- Although DeLeo’s listicle appeared online in 2008, as of the date of this proposal, there still does not appear to be a good Boomer-specific science and technology website.
Contrary to common demographic stereotypes, Baby Boomers are frequent users of the internet. The PEW Internet and American Life Project found that:
- As of 2008, 74 percent of Baby Boomers used the Internet.
- As of 2008, Baby Boomers represented 36 percent of the Internet population
- As of 2008, 53 percent of Baby Boomers are online every day.
References
1. Scarborough, “Keeping up with the Baby Boomers,” http://dialog.scarborough.com/index.php/keeping-up-with-the-baby-boomers/ (2012)
2. Baby Boomer Magazine.com
http://www.babyboomer-magazine.com/news/165/ARTICLE/1217/2012-04-18.html
3. Miller, Jon D., Linda Kimmel, ORC Macro and NORC. National Science Foundation Surveys of Public Attitudes Toward And Understanding of Science And Technology, 1979-2006 [Computer file]. 3rd Roper Center version. Tallahassee, FL: Susan Carol Losh, Florida State University, Department of Educational Psychology & Learning Systems/Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics/Arlington, VA: American Statistical Association [producers], 2009. Storrs, CT: Roper Center for Public Opinion Research [distributor], 2009.
4. Rainie, Lee, “Baby Boomers in the Digital Age,” PEW Internet and American Life Project http://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2009/Baby-Boomers-and-the-internet.aspx (2009)
