Who knew that Boomers were such media-hungry digital infovores? New research on the media use habits of the age 45 to 54 consumer demographic by the CRE Mapping Study shows that they consume more TV and more Internet media than any other cohort.

Digital Boomers account for about one-third of Web traffic on a typical day, according to The Pew Internet and American Life Project. “In their younger years, they eagerly adopted new technologies such as Walkmans, VCRs, PCs, DVRs and the Internet,” said Lisa E. Phillips, senior analyst at eMarketer, and “most carry that adaptability into their 50s and 60s.”

What’s more, Boomers are active online social networkers, with about half maintaining a profile on sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Trends in socialTV programming and promotion are now purposefully designed with the Boomers in mind.

With all of this tech savvy behavior, it’s no wonder that Harlequin Enterprises is following Boomers into social gaming. Harlequin was already way way out in front in developing ebooks—though others are following suit, to capitalize on cross-generational trend in mobile lifestyling, and digital Boomer-consumers’ love of reading and gadgetry. Coming up next: more gadgets with easy-to-see buttons and simplified functions (like this CosyPhone) for the over-50 set and their tired, screen-weary eyes.

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