# Grandparents as addicted to phones as their grandchildren: When boomers get hooked on social media

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/grandparents-as-addicted-to-phones-as-their-grandchildren-when-boomers-get-hooked-on-social-media/
- Published: 2026-11-15T04:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T04:21:53+00:00
- Original publisher: El País (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://english.elpais.com/health/2026-11-15/grandparents-as-addicted-to-phones-as-their-grandchildren-when-boomers-get-hooked-on-social-media.html
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Smartphone dependence concerns are reaching older adults.
- Spanish internet access among 65 to 74-year-olds hit 96.3% in 2025.
- Families are urged to respond with understanding and meaningful contact.

## Summary

Worries about excessive smartphone use are increasingly extending to baby boomers, whose online habits can expose them to scams, misleading material and polarised content. The article argues that these risks matter, while cautioning families against ridicule: frequent sharing may reflect a desire for connection and entertainment.

In Spain, internet access among people aged 65 to 74 reached 96.3% in 2025, according to the CSIC. Lower familiarity with social media can make some older users less likely to spot fabricated images or targeted scams, while recommendation algorithms may reinforce views. A treatment specialist says relatives should seek richer communication rather than simply demand that someone stop sharing videos.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.