People Who Use Tech Feel 11 Years Younger

Technology is making the world feel younger, healthier and more emotionally connected, revealed a research released by Lenovo, suggesting a growing relationship between technological innovation and wellbeing.

The research, which surveyed over 15,000 individuals from around the globe, including the US, Mexico, Brazil, China, India, Japan, UK, Germany, France and Italy, not only found 40 percent of global respondents feel “a lot“ or “somewhat“ more youthful thanks to technology, but on average it made them feel younger by 11 years. This rings most true in China, where 70 percent of Chinese respondents said technology made them feel more youthful.

The research suggests that this sentiment is felt world-over, across genders and ages. The study generally revealed that many older generations think using technology helps them to connect better with younger people as well as feel livelier and more knowledgeable. This is especially evident when it comes to the role smart devices play in terms of relationships with family and friends.

When asked to compare technology today to those of 20 years ago for giving them the ability to feel connected to what is going on in the lives of the people they care about, 65 percent answered it’s “getting better“. While 75 percent also said technology is improving their ability to stay in touch with family and friends who live far away.

The global research also revealed that tech is helping people when it comes to mental health and wellbeing, offering emotional gains, particularly in parents. Over three-quarters (78 percent) of working parents stated the ever-connected nature of technology helps them feel more emotionally connected to their children, even when they are away from home. An even larger portion (83 percent) of working parents agreed that emerging technologies are making it easier for them to feel confident that their kids are safe and secure while they are at work.

Over two-thirds (67 percent) of respondents in the survey stated they were optimistic about the future of technology and the role tech can play in our lives and society, especially in wellbeing, with 67 percent believing devices are currently having a positive impact on the ability to improve their overall health. And that’s hardly surprising, considering 84 percent also said tech has empowered them to make improvements in their lives overall.

The recognition that tech is helping to improve the quality of life could also be a result of the time it tends to save people. Half of respondents across all markets (50 percent) feel their smart devices save them 30 minutes or more a day by helping them do something faster or more efficiently. Similarly, over half (57 percent) agreed smart devices, such as computers and smart home devices like smart displays and smart clocks, are making them more productive and efficient, the highest perceptions of which were seen in China at 82 percent and India at 81 percent.

In terms of personal health, 36 percent of respondents said smart devices have made it easier for them to access health care providers and make doctor’s appointments, and a further 39 percent of those under 60 years of age stated modern tech makes it easier for seniors to contact emergency services.

“There is a growing relationship between innovation and wellbeing as smart technologies are not only helping people globally to stay more connected but aiding wellbeing in the form of compassion and empathy by building better connections between them,“ said Dilip Bhatia, Vice President of User and Customer Experience, Lenovo.