Digital divide – MetaFacts TUP Client Portal

March 24, 2024May 9, 2025

US persists in having fewer employed online adults

The workforce has shifted strongly following the onset of the pandemic, affected by remote working, seesawing employer and national responses, and economic reverberations. In the US, there has been a persistent and noticeable shift from full-time or part-time employment to self-employed or gig working. Among the countries surveyed, Germany has the smallest share of online adults in the labor force.

This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults employed (full-time or part-time) and those in the labor force (employed, self-employed, or currently unemployed). The data from 2017 through 2023 is split by country: US, Germany, UK, and Japan. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0324_empt] in TUP Lenses: User Profile; Households

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March 2, 2024May 20, 2024

Used and refurbished smartphones are increasing in share, especially among the young

Used or refurbished smartphones are a small but growing trend across all countries surveyed. Younger adults are using them at a higher rate. In the UK, rates have also risen among smartphone users aged 50 and up. Overall rates are highest in the UK and Germany.

This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of smartphone users actively using a used or refurbished smartphone, split by country and age group. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0302_yret] in TUP Lenses: Devices; Mobile Phones; User Profile

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February 19, 2024February 29, 2024

US trails in employed online users

Globally, four in ten to six in ten online adults are working full-time or part-time. The use of online devices has broadened well beyond employed persons to include adults with a wide variety of employment statuses: retired, students, self-employed, unemployed, or otherwise not employed outside of the home. Among the countries surveyed, the US has the lowest share of online adults employed full-time or part-time.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of online adults employed full-time or part-time. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0219_empl] in TUP Lenses: User Profile; Households

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February 2, 2024September 25, 2024

The top American page makers

The most active users of printers are generations in the middle, even while overall printer penetration is higher among earlier generations. Older millennial Americans have the very highest share of those who print more than 100 pages per month. Socioeconomic groups with higher incomes, further educational attainment, or children in the household include some of the busiest printer users.

This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of Americans printing 100 or more pages per month, split by generation and detailing penetration among many historically advantaged and disadvantaged socioeconomic groups. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0202_page] in TUP Lenses: Printers; User Profile

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January 21, 2024December 5, 2023

Youth using used smartphones

Economic pressures have supported younger adults, often with lower employment rates and limited funds, in turning toward acquiring technology from friends, family, or the refurbished device market. Refurbished or used smartphones are more widely used in the UK than in many other countries. Usage is especially high among adults aged 18 to 24 as compared to other age groups, a finding that is consistent across the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, and China. Generally, the use of a used/refurbished smartphone shrinks with age.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of smartphone users who are using a used/refurbished smartphone by country. Report [TUP_doc_2024_0121_yref] in TUP Lenses: Devices; Mobile Phones; User Profile

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January 6, 2024January 31, 2024

Used and refurbished computer market health and youth

The market for used or refurbished computers is healthy, steady, and widespread. It is a common and ongoing practice among adults in the US, Germany, UK, and Japan. There is a youthful skew, especially among younger Americans.

This MetaFAQ reports on the percentage of home PCs acquired as used or refurbished, split by country and user age group.

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December 30, 2023February 29, 2024

Younger tech domination fading to growing number of seniors

One of the fastest growing populations online, especially in the US, are adults aged 55 and up. This group exceeds 81 million Americans in 2023, up from 63 million in 2017–growth of more than 25%.

This MetaFAQs reports on the number and percentage of online adults that are aged 55 and over in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1230_sent] in TUP Lenses: User Profile

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November 1, 2023February 26, 2024

Youth versus experience: the new/used computer divide

Employers are saddling younger adults with used/refurbished computers. Over one-third of American adults aged 18 to 24 actively using an employer-provided PC are using one previously used by someone else. In the UK, that rate among younger adults is nearly as high. Older adults don’t have as high a rate.

This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of PC users actively using a used/refurbished computer by computer ownership and age group within the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and China. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1101_used] in TUP Lenses: PCs; Mobile Phones; User Profile

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October 13, 2023October 19, 2023

Younger techies dominate? Seniors beg to differ

Younger techies dominate? Seniors beg to differ – Seniors, those aged 55 and above, represent a significant portion of online adults and bring a rich history of technological experience. Their journey began with enhancements in landlines and the dawn of pricey, less reliable mobile phones. They witnessed PCs evolve from hobbyist creations to essential tools for work, education, and daily tasks. Television expanded from just a few networks to the vastness of cable, with streaming emerging more recently in their tech narrative. This demographic adapted as technology milestones like the Apple II, email’s surge, and the decline of paper maps. Their long-standing tech experience offers a unique perspective and challenges the notion that younger generations solely drive technological innovation.

This MetaFAQs reports on the number of online adults aged 55 and over in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1013_seni] in TUP Lenses: User Profile

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November 11, 2022February 26, 2024

Printer usage by American socioeconomic groups

Fewer Americans are using a printer, although the distribution is not even. Most groups of traditionally advantaged Americans continue to have the highest active penetration rates, while usage among the traditionally disadvantaged has faded.

This MetaFAQs profiles American online adults using a printer by their employment status and age group, life stage, age group, and generational age group.

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