Posted on 02/02/2007 11:08:26 AM PST by blam
Surfing net is top pastime for elderly
By David Derbyshire, Consumer Affairs Editor
Last Updated: 1:51am GMT 02/02/2007
Browsing the internet has overtaken DIY and gardening to become the favourite pastime of older people, according to a survey.
The internet is named as one of the favourite pastimes of retired Britons
The current generation of "silver surfers" spends an average of six hours online each week, research by the insurance company AXA found.
Emailing and online chatting to friends and family was the favourite internet activity of the retired people surveyed, followed by researching information, booking holidays and shopping.
Alison Green, a spokesman at AXA, said: "It is encouraging to see British pensioners embracing technology. The report highlights how pensioners are using the internet to support a less stressful approach to life.
"The potentially arduous task of struggling with the shopping is becoming less of an issue as retired people can simply log onto their computers and select groceries at their leisure."
According to the survey, 41 per cent of retired Britons named internet usage as one of their favourite pastimes. DIY and gardening were named by 39 per cent, hobbies by 36 per cent and travel and walking by 28 per cent. Four in 10 retired people said they were regular internet shoppers.
The most popular online activity was emailing (84 per cent), followed by searching for information (83 per cent). The survey found that 45 per cent bought travel tickets online, 35 per cent used internet banks and 28 per cent surfed the internet for news.
Two thirds of retired people surveyed said they regularly contacted their children, while 42 per cent said they kept in touch with grandchildren.
The level of internet surfing puts Britain among the top five in the 11 countries surveyed. America came top of the poll with nine hours per weekend, followed by Canada and Australia with seven hours. Spanish and Italian pensioners were the least internet savvy, with an average of just two hours a week.
Despite the large number of older people now online, some charities are concerned that a significant minority of the over 60s have never logged on and could be missing out on cheaper online prices and services offered exclusively on the net.
Dave Armstrong, 58, is typical of the new generation. He retired from the Inland Revenue last year and spends around 14 hours a week online. "A very big use for me is the voluntary work that I do with athletics clubs such as organising races and fixtures," said Mr Armstrong, of Shipley, West Yorks. "Then there's the standard stuff, such as shopping for services and goods."
Oh great. Now I'm "elderly."
"DIY" must be a Brit term. Diddling in yard perhaps?
Meaning Do-it-yourself (home repairs).
DIY. Do it yourself.
Amateurs.
She does.
If this is an article about the elderly, why are they quoting a man who is 58 years old?
Six hours a week? Lightweights. I've got six hours in before breakfast, and I'm 32. By the time I'm old, I should be pulling down 20 hours a day no sweat.
Good, that will keep them off the roads.
What is DITY?
People my age using internet ping.
DITY = Doing It To Yourself
If you meant DIY, that's Do-it-yourself.
Ah thank you. I had no idea what it was.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.