1 in 3 over 55s own an e-reader

Mums, dads, grannies and grandads are increasingly demonstrating that while technology is widely regarded as the domain of the young, in fact digital books are replacing or supplementing traditional ones in the homes of savvy seniors.

Many are discovering there’s nothing quite like settling down in front of a nice warm Kindle Fire, or putting their feet up with an iPad.

According to research by Mintel consumer analysts, 29 percent of those aged 55 and above now own a digital book reader, compared with just 22 percent of the younger generation, the Daily Mail reported.

Older women embracing the digital age are particularly fond of the devices, with 31 percent owning one.

That may also have something to do with ‘50 Shades Of Grey’, the publishing phenomenon which began life as an e-book.

The findings fly in the face of assumptions that only youngsters can conquer the complexities of technological wizardry, or that oldies would never abandon proper books.

Paul Davies, of Mintel, said that over-55s are the keenest readers across all formats of books (paperback, hardback and digital) – bar audiobooks.

The popularity of e-readers in this age group is related to the fact that the digital book is designed specifically to cater for an activity in which they are the keenest participants, he said.

e-readers probably appeal to grannies because they can enlarge the text, and will never

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