Internet puts older generation 'back in touch'

23rd November 2007

The internet connects the elder generation with society, according to New Age Media Magazine.

Editor of the magazine Justin Pearse explained that there have been instances where elderly people feel cut off from the world but by keeping in touch with people in different countries and finding out family history, they can reconnect.

"The term 'silver surfers' is getting slightly archaic now, it was used to start off with because the internet was so new and old people weren't meant to use it," he said.

However use of the internet has become "major", he added, claiming that "it quickly became apparent" that the elder generation surf the web as much as younger people.

A study by Ofcom revealed that a quarter of all internet users are aged over 50 and that this age group spends an average of 42 hours a month online, compared to 37.9 hours for the 18-24 age group.