Group items tagged

"At 2012 Q1, 8.12 million adults (16.1 per cent) had never used the Internet. This is about 1 per cent lower than 2011 Q4 and 7 per cent lower than 2011 Q1 There were 42.16 million adults (83.7 per cent) who had ever used the Internet at 2012 Q1 Men (86.1 per cent) were more likely to be Internet users than women (81.3 per cent) By region, the South East had the highest rate of Internet users (86.9 per cent); Northern Ireland was the lowest (75.1 per cent)"

"But the other thing we have to remember is that there's probably little value in telling people that the internet is good for them. In a sense, this is where the government's Digital by Default strategy is flawed: people feel a bit bullied, they think it's about saving money (which it is) and why should they put themselves out for that? We would be better off thinking about why young people go on the internet. It isn't primarily because the health service needs them to, or even for price comparisons, cheap deals and easy banking. It's because the internet offers the things they love: music, relationships, the chance to make each other laugh. We would say this, of course, but at Gransnet we think we're an attractor for older people online: we offer something that gives older people real pleasure. But with the internet currently designed primarily by 23 year-olds for 23 year-olds, there still isn't enough really compelling content for older people, designed by the over-50s for the over-50s"

"This publication sets out the latest research into how the internet is, and can be, used to support those over 65 as well as highlighting the mechanisms, themes and social situations that best enable this group to benefit from the internet. By doing so, it sets out a number of ways in which we can look to develop new approaches to supporting people over the age of 65 to get online in a sustained and meaningful way."

"Older people have the lowest levels of internet-take up, in stark contrast to highly connected younger age groups. For the digitally excluded, a number of barriers can compound each other, from cost to ability to interest. This research finds that universal internet take-up won't be achieved overnight, but nevertheless investing in the digitally excluded has long term benefits for both citizens and government."

"This report has been written to complement the State of the Art Literature Review on Older People and the Internet, commissioned by Nominet Trust and published in October 2011. We have been particularly motivated to consider directions in which activity and policy should move in order to help ensure that as many older people as possible can become successful internet users. To help reflect on our own experiences of working in the field of older people and ICT and to distil these experiences into the opinions expressed in this report, we spoke to over 15 older technology users of varying levels of experience. We make no attempt to present this consultation as engaging with a representative sample of older people, but instead use this engagement to provoke our own thoughts into the directions where research and policy might best be headed. We also spoke to a number of senior research colleagues working in the same field, and while their views are reflected in some of the content of this report, ultimately what we present is our own articulation of the challenges we face and the directions we can take."

"his design study looks at how social networking technology can better support older people in maintaining connections to the individuals and groups that mean the most to them. People over 60 tend to use the internet in different ways to younger people and most current social networking sites offer little incentive for them to engage. An older person is more likely to use the internet for information rather than social communication or entertainment, currently the primary focus of many sites."

Anecdotes and discussion in the Manchester United forum

"Casserole helps people share extra portions of home cooked food with others in their area who might not always be able to cook for themselves. For those who aren't on the internet, Casserole helps those who are offline to order meals, connect and pair up with local people - In fact most of the diners we have registered we've met personally and support through phone and text. "

Go On UK aims to make the UK the most digitally capable nation in the world. We are a charity with a big aim. We won't understate the scale of the challenge - but neither will we hide the size of the opportunity. Working alongside our inspiring Founder Partners, we want to ensure that everyone and every organisation - from small business to large corporations and charities - is able to enjoy the social, economic and cultural benefits of the internet.

"I would like to introduce you to just a few examples of exciting and cost effective innovations which could be promoted by local authorities. Many more example are included in my forthcoming eBook "The Click Guide to Digital Technology for Care""

"Next year the welfare system will undergo an overhaul as universal credit is introduced. The benefit, replacing six others, includes a new requirement to apply for benefits online. With millions of people having never used the internet, however, it raises the question of how those not online will manage. Universal credit is just one example of how, as our society becomes increasingly digitalised, those who are not online are at risk of becoming excluded. And it's not just a case of people opting not to be online."

"AN ARMY of internet-savvy pensioners should be employed to help get millions of elderly people online to prevent them becoming increasingly isolated, an influential Tory think tank has suggested." The report is from Policy Exchange

"This is the place to get up to speed with the technology that can help enrich your life.  Whether you'd like to improve your computer skills, emailing, use of the internet or generally to boost your digital confidence, our simple guides are here to help. They're free, print-friendly and also a great way to support other learners."

SILVER surfers have been enjoying ITea and biscuits - learning new computer skills combined with a cuppa and nibbles. The taster session, run at Brighton Street Community Centre in Heckmondwike, is encouraging older people who may have a small amount of internet experience, or never used a computer before to become a silver surfer in a relaxed atsmosphere.