Can YOU help to get older people switched onto the net?

15/05/2009

 It's 'Silver Surfer Day' today (15 May), and World Cup hat trick hero Geoff Hurst and soap queen Julie Goodyear have lent their famous faces to a new campaign to encourage older people to start using the internet. Research shows that thousands of older people across England are missing out on regular contact with their grandchildren by not embracing computers and the internet - as well as missing out on bargains, and the ability to research subjects that interest them and keep in touch by email and Skype with friends and relatives around the world.

The research -  by national computer centre network UK online centres

- reveals that over a third of adults aged over 65 say they ‘wouldn’t know where to start’ when it came to using computers and the internet and many claim they feel ‘left behind’ (23%) or ‘embarrassed’ (13%) by their lack of understanding of the online world.

Just 9% of the over 65s said they used email as their main form of contact with family with the vast majority (67%) preferring telephone contact. But the reliance of younger people on the internet as a tool for communication, leads to a disconnection which leaves 68% of grandchildren feeling guilty about the amount of contact they have with their grandparents:

• 62% say they’d be in touch more regularly if they were able to chat to their grandparents over the internet
• 41% say using the phone to speak to their grandparents is too much ‘hassle’
• A third say if their grandparents were online they’d be in touch more than they are now as it’s ‘quicker and less of a hassle to email’

To tackle the problem and highlight the benefits of the internet, UK online centres has partnered with Digital Unite for this year’s Silver Surfers’ Day (Friday 15th May) to show men and women over 65 that It’s never too late to get online.

At UK online centres, many people up and down the country are learning about the internet for the first time. Friendly staff are on hand to guide people through simple courses which will help save time, money and hassle whilst helping to improve communications with friends and family.

If you have friends who have been anxious about finding out about the net, why not persuade them to go along and show them what they're missing? The Centre also run courses to help those who are new to computers and want to improve their skills.

There are UK online centres across the country which are running It’s never too late to get online activity throughout May 2009 and are taking part in Silver Surfers’ Day activities on 15th May – just call 0800 77 1234 to find out what your nearest centre is doing and how you can get involved.

Sir Geoff Hurst who is supporting the campaign, has visited his local UK online centre to learn more about the internet. He says “It really is never too late to learn about the internet – I’ve only just started, but have learnt so much already! My kids and grandkids were telling me it was about time I started using the internet so I finally took the first step and went to my local UK online centre.

They’ve been great, showing me all the different things I can do – from online banking and shopping, to how to get the latest football scores and match analysis. I’ve even watched some football online! A lot of older men like me tend to see the internet as ‘not for them’  but there is so much that’s relevant for us and you needn’t worry about it being complicated – UK online centres help make the internet simple and easy for anyone to try.”

It’s so easy and it’s never too late. Call 0800 77 1234 to find your nearest participating UK online center or go to the website linked below.

Relevant links

• UK Online (Opens a new window)