Despite not having grown up with computers or internet access, new research conducted by TalkTalk and F-Secure has found that the older generations are catching up when it comes to their internet use.
Nine out of ten UK residents over the age of 60 who use the internet go online every day, with 68 per cent going online several times a day. This compares to 77 per cent of 26-35 year olds which shows the boom in so-called ‘Silver Surfers’ across the country.
A third of silver surfers now access TV and radio over the internet and one in five game online. Although this is less than the overall average of 41 per cent and 27 per cent respectively, it shows that older people are increasingly at ease with the internet. Similarly, three quarters of those 60 plus who are online use the internet for banking and 83 per cent now do at least some of their shopping online.
Despite this, just a third of people over 60 who are online use social networks, compared with 93% of 16 to 25s. A quarter of those surveyed admitted to either not knowing what Facebook was or not using it. Of those aged 60 and over who do use Facebook, 84 per cent have less than 50 friends, in comparison to 52 per cent of 16 to 25s who have more than 150 friends.
While they may shun social networks, many silver surfers are happy using more direct applications to communicate over the internet such as Skype and email just as much as people in any other age group (35 per cent and 98 per cent respectively). And with this increased use of the internet comes a familiarity with its common terms and this group pretty much matched the average when it came to knowledge of internet security terms such as Spam, Malware, Cookie, Phishing and Trojan.
98 per cent of silver surfers also like to take care of internet security themselves, but will quickly look for expert help in the case of an infection, unlike younger generations who generally prefer to ask a friend or family member for help first. To help all internet users – whatever their age – keep themselves safer online, we launched HomeSafe, our free network level security service, which alerts customers if they are about to visit a website infected with malware, as well as letting them block certain categories of websites, such as gambling and weapons and violence.
TalkTalk is the only company to offer network level security which protects every device and computer that’s using the home internet connection. Alongside this, our Super Safe Boost, which is powered by F-Secure and provides protection against security threats while shopping, banking or using social networking sites, and will remove existing infections, whether you are connected in the home or out. Together, HomeSafe and the Super Safe Boost, mean that TalkTalk customers of all ages have the tools they need to explore the great things the internet has to offer in a way that is secure.
And if you want to hear some silver surfers sharing their views of the internet then watch our video below:
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Fleur
Interesting statistics in this article, thanks for sharing. It doesn’t surprise me that internet usage has grown for this age group,and rapidly. My dad uses your service and it’s his lifeline to the world. It’s also quick to email and so much easier to keep in contact with people, especially their loved ones who have moved away. My mother in law’s daughter is in Australia and she regularly uses SKYPE to talk to her daughter and her children, it makes so much difference. Let’s hope that more silver surfers get online because it’s such a great thing for them to use.