African-American Millennials Are Tech-Savvy Leaders In Digital Advancement, Finds Nielsen

Finds African-American Millennials Are Tech-Savvy

With continued population growth, higher education attainment and expanded access to mobile technology, African-Americans’ digital footprint and influence is being driven by younger influencers -- black Millennials (18-34).

As detailed in NIELSEN’s "Young, Connected and Black" report, there are more than 83 million Millennials in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau, of which African-Americans comprise 14% (about 11.5 million). African-American Millennials are using technology and social media to amplify their voices about how they consume information, entertainment and products.

African-American Millennials Are Tech Trailblazers

African-American Millennials are early adopters when it comes to trying new electronic gadgets. In fact, 70% are fascinated by new technology, and they’re more likely than total U.S. Millennials to say they’re among the first of their friends and colleagues to try new technology products. They also enjoy learning about electronic products from others, and they will recommend electronic products they like to their peers. For marketers trying to establish meaningful connections with African-Americans, leveraging their passions and usage of today’s latest technology should be a central focus in strategic goals.

Black Millennials Diversify Their Device Usage

Not only do African-American Millennials spend more time watching live and time-shifted TV (DVR) than total U.S. Millennials on a weekly basis by 61%, but they also spend more time on a weekly basis consuming video content on other devices. Black Millennials watch video on PCs and smartphones at rates 48% and 23% higher, respectively, than their total market counterparts, and African-Americans ages 35-49 watch at rates 45% and 32% higher, respectively, than their total market counterparts.

Closing The Digital Divide

The digital divide, or lack of access to technology with regard to mobile internet access, among multicultural consumers has been closing rapidly in recent years. Technology and the use of digital platforms such as social media has become an integral part of the everyday fabric of most African-Americans’ lives. Led by tech-savvy Millennials, who regard and use technology and social media almost as extensions of their personal identity, African-Americans have become adept at using digital platforms to communicate with their peers as well as others around the world. In fact, 91% of African-Americans own smartphones, and they are the second-largest multicultural group for ownership behind Asian-Americans (94%). Ninety-one percent of African-Americans had internet access via a smartphone or broadband in 2016, up from 86% in 2015, a growth rate of 6%, outpacing all other racial/ethnic groups.

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