Older Brits amongst Europe's most web-savvy

Age UK's myfriends online week shows older people the social benefits of being online.

People aged 55-74 in the UK are amongst the most prevalent older Internet users in Europe and, according to Age UK, feel more connected to their loved ones because of it.

The statistics come during Age UK's myfriends online week 2011, which encourages older people to use the Internet to connect with friends and family.

The statistics, collated by Eurostat[1], reveal that 43% of people aged 55-74 in the UK use the Internet frequently compared to an EU average of 28%. The UK tops European heavyweights Germany and France, where 33% and 40% of that age group regularly use the Internet respectively. However, we are still behind Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Norway and Sweden where over half of 55-74s regularly surf the Web.

The table below represents the percentage of people aged 55-74 who frequently use the Internet. The table shows the top 15 EU countries in rank order, as identified by Eurostat:

Despite these positive statistics, six million people aged 65 and over in the UK have never been online[2]. To enable more older people to access the Internet and enjoy its social benefits, such as keeping in contact with friends and family more easily, Age UK is this week running myfriends online week 2011 (21-27 March 2011). The Charity is calling on people with Internet skills to pledge to pass on their knowledge to an older friend, family member or neighbour who has never been online, or for older people to attend a local training event.

With nearly one million older people saying that they are often or always lonely[3], and over half (five million) of people aged 65+ saying that they consider the television as their main form of company[4], the Internet can be hugely important in allowing people to keep in contact with loved ones and helping to tackle feelings of isolation and loneliness.

New polling[5] commissioned by Age UK has shown that 63% of people aged 65 and over who use the Internet feel that since they have been online they have been able to keep in contact with friends and family more than before. The Charity also found that of those older people who do not use the Internet, nearly one in four (24%) feel that the Internet would be a useful way of keeping in contact with friends and family more easily, suggesting there is a growing awareness of the benefits that the Internet can bring.

Linda Robson, actress and Age UK ambassador, said:

'It's great to hear that older Brits are amongst those leading the way in Europe on Internet use. As a recent convert to the online world I know the fear that people might face when going online for the first time, but it really isn't as scary as you think and the benefits are fantastic.

'That's why it's such a shame that millions of older people are still not online and missing out on everything the ‘net can offer, like keeping in contact with friends and family more easily. I'd urge anyone who enjoys making the most of the Internet to take the Age UK myfriends online week pledge and help teach someone who has never been online before to get involved!'

Helena Herklots, Services Director at Age UK, said:

'Older Internet users are telling us that they are better connected to their loved ones because of the Internet, reinforcing that people of all ages can really benefit from being online. However, the challenge remains to enable the six million older people who have never been online before to use the Internet.

'To help get older people online, we need people of all ages who already use the Internet to pass on their knowledge to friends, family members and neighbours. If everyone helps one older person they know to get online, the UK's older population could surf their way to the top of the European table, helping in the battle against social isolation along the way. As well as this, older people can get practical support and training by visiting their nearest myfriends online week event.'

Margaret Goodwin, 64 from Oxfordshire and the joint Age UK Internet Champion of the Year for 2011, said:

'Having recently retired I was concerned that life might become lonely, however the Internet has ensured that this is not the case. I regularly use the Internet to keep in touch with friends and family around the world and have also got back in contact with family I had lost touch with. I've even tried Internet dating! If I can do it there is no reason why other people in later life can't, so why not give it a go during myfriends online week?'

 - ENDS -

To find out more or to attend an event call 0800 169 2081 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/myfriendsonline 

Case studies, spokespeople and filming locations are available on request.

Notes to Editors:

References

1. Eurostat, 2010.

cat&language=en&pcode=tin00092&plugin=1.
http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm/table.do?tab=table&tableSelection=4&labeling=labels&footnotes=yes&layout=time,geo,The EU figure in the table is for the full EU 27 group of countries
2. Internet Access 2010 Households and Individuals, ONS, August 2010
3. Agenda for Later Life 2011, Age UK, March 2011
4. ICM Research survey for Age UK, December 2009
5. TNS Omnibus 4-13 March 2011 amongst a weighted sample of 1,117 UK Adults 65+

Please note Eurostat do not have data of people 75 and over, which is why the stats do not reflect all older people.

myfriends online week

myfriends online week is part of Connect with IT, a comprehensive digital inclusion campaign managed by Age UK involving itea and biscuits week, Internet Champion of the Year competition and IT Volunteering. More than 200,000 people in later life have been helped to date.

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media Contact: Andrew Walker
Telephone: 020 8765 7512
Out-of-office hours: 07071 243 243