Digital Unite research

It’s official – being online can improve the lives of the over 55s and make them feel ‘with it’ , Digital Unite research shows

In April 2011 Digital Unite commissioned an independent OnePoll online survey. 526 people aged over 55 years who had been using the internet for 5 years or less were questioned.

Key findings:

Four out of five internet users aged over 55 years (86%) have said that having access to computers and the web has improved their lives. When asked how their lives have been improved the findings showed:

  • Eight out of ten (82%) said that they save money by buying products and services online,
  • 71% said they can do things quicker, like paying bills
  • Well over half (57%) said they were now better in touch with friends and family.
  • Two out of five (44%) said they had found new hobbies and interests
  • One in five (22%) said they can now keep up with their grandchildren.

 Being online can also help to evoke positive feelings of wellbeing:

  • Five out of ten people (54%) that it makes them feel connected
  • One in six (17%) said it makes them feel happy and ‘with it’.
  • One in eight (12%) felt younger by being online.
  • 72% thought that being online can help reduce feelings of isolation.
  • Nearly two-thirds (63%) said it can help to reduce feelings of loneliness.
  • 81% of people said being online makes them feel part of modern society.

 Additional survey findings:

  • 9 out of 10 people (89%) said they are someone who is willing to try something new.
  • Just over half of men (51%) found new hobbies and interests by being online compared with 41% of women
  • Keeping up with the grandchildren by being online was particularly important to those aged 71-75 years (31%), compared to 17% of those aged 55-60 years.
  • Nearly 1 in 5 women (19%) said that being online made them feel ‘with it’ compared to 13% of men.
  • 2 out of 5 people (40%) went online more than once a day. This rises to 3 out of 5 (60%) among those aged 66-70 years.
  • Two-thirds (68%) of those aged 76 years and over were helped to get online by their children and were less likely to help themselves, with only 10% doing so compared to the national average of 22%.
  • Nearly two thirds (61%) do not actively use social networking sites. Of the 29% who do, Facebook is the most popular site (47%). Those aged 55-60 years used social networking sites the most (46%).
  • 7 out of 10 (73%) know someone who is aged over 55 years and is not using computers and the internet. The main reasons cited for this were fear of technology (62%), don’t see the need (53%), no access to a computer (52%) and worried about their details being online (38%).

If you would like to know more about the research please email du@digitalunite.com or call 0800 228 9272.