Overview
- Overall internet use among people 65+ in Germany has climbed to 74%, with near‑universal adoption among 65–69 year‑olds at 98%, while about half of those 80 and older do not go online.
- Among seniors who use the internet, common activities include email and messaging (about 90%), searching personal interests (88%), reading news (81%), online banking (80%), shopping (76%), social networks (60%) and video calls (50%).
- Many older respondents doubt their skills, giving themselves an average grade of 3.2 compared with 2.8 among younger generations, and key reasons for non‑use include lack of knowledge (47%), security concerns (40%) and having no one to help (15%).
- Demand for assistance is strong as 96% want support offerings, 78% favor a help hotline for digital questions and 54% currently turn to relatives or friends for guidance.
- Bitkom president Ralf Wintergerst and Education Minister Karin Prien urge stronger inclusion efforts, with initiatives such as the Digitaler Engel project and two training infobuses scheduled to tour Germany in March 2026, based on a Bitkom Research survey of 1,004 people aged 65+ conducted in September–October 2025.