June 5, 2025 – Google has long been advocating for users to abandon traditional passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) in favor of passkeys, a more secure and convenient alternative. However, a recent survey conducted by the tech giant reveals that a majority of users still cling to conventional login methods. As reported by Android Authority on the 4th, the study also highlights notable generational differences in cybersecurity habits among American users.
The survey found that older generations, including Generation X, Baby Boomers, and some Millennials, despite being familiar with newer technologies like social media logins, still prefer to rely on passwords and 2FA. Notably, only about 30% of Generation X and Baby Boomers use social media logins daily. In contrast, younger users exhibit vastly different login preferences.
Generation Z, born between 1995 and 2010, and Millennials, born from the early 1980s to the late 1990s, are more inclined to adopt passkeys or social media logins, thereby reducing the frequency of password changes. Google views this willingness among younger generations to embrace modern, secure, and convenient authentication methods as a positive sign.
The tech company is urging users to adopt modern authentication methods promptly to enhance account security. Google emphasizes that passwords are not only cumbersome to manage but also more susceptible to phishing attacks and data breaches. While the generational differences observed in the survey suggest a shifting trend, the full-scale replacement of traditional login methods with passkeys and social media logins is expected to take time.
