One million new over 50s internet surfers in 2010

It seems that the over 50s are really coming into their own in the internet world. Last year, it was found by the UK Online Measurement Company more than half of new users were over 50, commonly dubbed silver surfers.

Last year, nearly two million people ventured online and over half of those (53 per cent) were over 50.

Alex Burmaster of the UKOM said: "The internet is getting older in more ways than one. Not only is the medium itself maturing but the audience is shifting towards older age groups. There is a still a perception that the net is youth-centric but this is clearly not the reality."

The study found that it is men over 50 who are taking to the internet more than women. In fact, men comprised 38 per cent of the new silver surfers at 722,000 as compared to women who accounted for only 15 per cent at 284,000.

It is interesting to know what older people like doing online. The most common activities found in the past were emails, shopping, and sourcing health advice. Now, UKOM has found that they also tend to be interested in online travel, cooking and community.

Burmaster added "This age group has a wide appetite when it comes to the types of sites they are using to supplement the interests and needs they have in their daily lives."

Earlier this year, the previous British government started the Get Digital scheme to encourage older people living in sheltered accommodation to access the internet. Sadly, two thirds of over 65s in sheltered accommodation still have no online access.

The Get Digital scheme aims to provide over 65s with computer and internet access. The scheme aims to work with up to 500 sheltered housing schemes to provide internet access for up to 27,800 residents, develop communal IT facilities for the 600,000 people living in communal housing, provide those people with expert tuition to enable them to become computer literate and support Registered Social Landlords to provide and sustain IT facilities for residents. Most groundbreaking is the aim to promote Get Digital partnerships with young people so that they can learn together.

Angela Eagle, Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society, said: "Get Digital will help thousands of older people in sheltered accommodation and rural areas become part of the digital age. The programme has the capacity to transform individual and collective lives."

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