Internet valuable resource for over 50s and beyond

People over 50, 60 and beyond are gradually shifting toward the idea of using computers to surf the Internet, keep in touch with friends & family, along with accessing the net as a means to manage aspects of their day to day lives.

According to a recent report by media regulator Ofcom, those who are 60 plus are spending on average as much as 42 hours a month online and a quarter of all users are those in the over 50 age bracket.

Many of those who are over 50 or past retirement find the Internet a valuable resource for extending their interests, shopping, banking and organising travel. They also find that it is so easy to keep in touch online with scattered family members and friends worldwide through the extensive range of communication methods that are available. These include email, MSN, webcam and video calling. In fact a survey in 2005 revealed that the 50 plus age group made most use of the free calls offered by the Skype calling system.

If you are over 50, over 60 or indeed 70 plus or 80 plus you need not be deterred from using social networking sites, always so popular with young people. Now, older people too, are finding that using MySpace and Facebook are brilliant for expanding their networks of friends and extended family online. You can connect with new friends and reconnect with old ones from school, college or even workplaces simply by clicking a button!

If you are new to computers or feel that you need to polish up your computer and online skills there are a number of computer courses available to improve your confidence and make the most of your time. For example LearnDirect (www.learndirect.co.uk) offers a good range of self teaching packages where you can learn at your own pace and is also a good way to make new friends as you take those all important tea or coffee breaks at the LearnDirect centre. You will find that you wont look back!

 Little and often is the motto when it comes to acquiring new skills, although you may become so completely absorbed in your new learning that you go on - and on! Indeed, the new technology allows us to explore our potential in a way unheard of in previous generations, bringing to mind an elderly gentleman who was often on the PC next to me at LearnDirect. He was 83 and an example of the old adage: it is never too late to learn!

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