Loyal pensioners who refuse to shop online – to keep local stores alive

It’S often said the older generation won’t use the internet because they’re scared of technology.

But the real reason many shun the online world is over fears it will take business away from local shops and services, a study found. they think using websites to buy groceries and goods will spark store closures – or lead to technologies replacing jobs for their grandchildren.

Although pensioners will use the internet for email and web browsing, they also fear losing the face-to-face contact that is important in preventing loneliness.

Lancaster University academic Dr Bran Knowles, who carried out a study into pensioners aged 66 to 86, said: ‘to some extent older people are the worst perpetuators of the myth that they are scared of technology, unable to use it effectively and make mistakes. Older people can use any technology they want to use, and do use email and the internet. their reasons for shunning it are largely social.

‘they are worried about losing opportunities for social interaction with people, they are worried about people’s jobs being replaced by the internet and losing the sense of community which comes from town centres rather than online shopping.’

the study is based on two decades of research into older people and technology. It reveals a ‘strong sense of social responsibility’ in older people who refuse to move their lives online. One pensioner who was interviewed as part of the study was worried when the receptionist at her local sports centre was replaced with a booking app. Another didn’t want to pay for her road tax online because she was keen to ‘keep the post office open’.

Some older people are put off using online services because they see them as being arduous and time-consuming, the report said. they feel the new trend for price comparison websites places a greater burden on them to become experts – when previously they could turn to trained professionals to assist with decision-making.

the study participants also said they did not want their life to be an ‘open book’ on social media and refused to be glued to a smartphone like younger generations. the study is published in the journal Communications of the ACM.