New research confirms anecdotal evidence that silver surfers are an increasingly important online constituency. Nearly a quarter of the UK's 18 million over-50s are active computer users; more than four million of them own PCs and a further 600,000 have access to computers at community centres, colleges and libraries. But, until now, there has been little information about the electronic habits of the growing numbers of older people regularly using information and communications technology (ICT).
The national charity Age Concern, supported by Microsoft, has attempted to fill that void by commissioning a study of ICT use among the over-50s. During April 2000, the British Market Research Bureau surveyed 1,250 older people, asking them about their use of, and attitudes to, technology and its effect on their lives. The charity says that the survey, published last week, is the largest of its kind undertaken in the UK.
Unsurprisingly, the study shows that some trends in the population as a whole are reflected by the older generation: for example, males from socio-economic classes A, B and C1 are the predominant group of computer users.
The study also found that people in the 50-64 age bracket are much more likely to be ICT-literate than those aged 65 and above - the proportions for each age group are 38% and 11% respectively. Even so, that's a lot of over-65s, and Age Concern claims ICT is now the fourth most popular leisure pursuit among older people.
Keeping in touch is cited as the greatest benefit of ICT, according to respondents - over 80% of users rely on word-processing applications for letter-writing and nearly 60% regularly send and receive e-mail.
Roughly half of all users also surf the internet, and among this group education scores highly: 64% use learning, fact-finding and reference sites; 58% research travel; 28% seek financial information and 24% visit news and current affairs sites. However, only 22% are willing to shop online - in fact, 70% are put off by worries about internet credit card fraud.
The survey reveals that other popular uses for home computing include gaming (39%) and keeping personal and household accounts (35%). The over-50s spend an average of nine hours each week on their computers, although men devote more time to their screens than women (ten and seven hours respectively). Few users find the technology intimidating with more than 80% saying it is very easy to use. Two-thirds of users claim ICT has made a positive difference to their lives.
Of those interviewees who do not use computers, 60% give "lack of interest" as the reason, although nearly one-fifth feel that computers are "too expensive" and 15% believe the new technology is "not for people of our age". Only 8% admit being "frightened of computers".
"IT can bring enormous pleasure and benefit to older people. I don't know how I'd manage without it," says Peter Cook, 68. He bought his first computer in 1987 and has had six machines since then. "I use the computer to keep in touch with family and friends, to do my accounts, for inter net banking and to help my son with his IT A-level studies," he says. Although Cook retired in 1991, he has turned his interest to good use as a freelance webmaster producing an internet advice page for DIY chain B & Q.
Older people are often introduced to new technologies by the "trickle-up" effect from younger family members. Dieter Wolfskelh, a 75-year-old former foundry worker from Rugby, is typical.
"My daughter and her husband use computers every day for work and they both have machines at home," he explains. "What's more, my son has become a dab hand at renovating cast-off computers and he and his youngsters are keen internet enthusiasts."
And it's not just PCs that are bringing technology into Wolfskehl's retirement: his daughter has just bought him his first mobile phone.
Having studied the findings, Age Concern intends to encourage more over-50s to exploit new technologies by collaborating with Microsoft to bring ICT training to older people. The charity's Mobile IT Training Sessions (MITS) scheme will be piloted in six areas - Blackburn, Hampshire, Staffordshire, Okehampton, Hereford, Worcester and Warrington - before being rolled out nationally. The initiative will provide skills tuition at day-centres and residential care homes, and builds on Age Concern's earlier series of outreach IT taster sessions.
