New Jerseyans of every age texting, emailing

The latest Fairleigh Dickinson University PublicMind Poll has found that 90 percent of New Jersey residents check email and text messages daily.

And 60 percent use social media, said poll director Krista Jenkins.

“To some extent, people would have thought that older people, given the fact that is new technology to them, may not be as connected to it or using it as often,” Jenkins said. “I think our survey shows that older people are also quite connected to their technology through email and text messaging, but also social media.”

The majority of Garden State residents surveyed believe all that technology is a benefit and part of a fulfilling life, she said.

The survey found “57 percent say technology has improved our lives because of the ease and the speed with which we can stay connected to others, as compared with 30 of respondents who believe technology has made our lives harder because we’re rarely able to enjoy private times,” Jenkins said.

Millennials who’ve grown up using the high-tech devices rely on them as a primary means of connecting with others.  Fairleigh Dickinson communications studies professor Chris Caldiero has cautioned that obsession with technology can hinder interpersonal relationships.