News
April 2007
Over 50s take up the internet at the double
A recent report suggests that the proportion of over 50s who use the internet has doubled over the last five years. They are also taking up the internet faster than any other age group, using it for shopping, chatting to friends, studying and pursuing their hobbies.
At the beginning of the 2000s older people in Britain were slower to use the internet than other age groups, with only 30 per cent of 55 to 64 year olds and nine per cent of over 65s being online. In 2006 the figures had jumped to 52 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.
The Office for National Statistics report suggests there are still a lot of over 50s who do not use the internet. The main reasons given are lack of interest, not having a connection and lack of knowledge or confidence.
Internet use for over 50s on the Directgov website
Statistics on internet use on the Focus on the Digital Age website