One in six over-65s never use the internet
More than one in six people aged over 65 (2.3 million) never use the internet, according to Age UK. Almost half of these are over 75.
It also said that more than 1 in 3 over-65s (4.7 million) lack the basic skills to use the internet successfully.
The figures come from the charity’s new report ‘Oine and Overlooked’, which highlights the UK’S ‘digital excluded’.
It said that of those who do use the internet, around 2.5 million lack “key skills” required to “thrive in a digital society in day-to-day life”. These include “being able to communicate, to store and access information and content, carry out transactions, search for information and be safe online”.
The charity is calling on all political parties to ensure that all public services, including
the councils, NHS and o¢er easy and a¢ordable ways to access them oine – such as by phone, letter or face to face. It also wants private companies, particularly banks, to make it easy for customers to use their services oine.
Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK said: “The inconvenient truth is that many millions of people of all ages, especially older ones, are neither confident nor adept at using the internet, and want and need to continue to sbe able to transact their business in more traditional ways”.
She added that older people often tell her how “cross and upset” they are when essential services like GP appointments and Blue Badge applications are moved online. “This often leaves them feeling disregarded and disempowered, and the consequences can be serious, severing them from the support they need to stay fit, well and independent,” she said. Read more on Age UK’S site: www.snipca.com/50002.
Do you feel digitally excluded? Let us know: letters@ computeractive.co.uk