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Original poster

40% of over 75s do not use the internet

132 replies

antelopevalley · 13/07/2022 15:10

I have just read this statistic in a report and it has left me wondering about the other 60%. Life will become increasingly difficult for them. And if they are not using it now, they are unlikely to be using it in a few years time.

OP posts:
ArcticSkewer · 13/07/2022 15:16

So 60% do use it?

10-15% will have dementia, by the time they are 90 it's about 1/3. Is lack of access to the internet a pressing issue for them?

DrDreReturns · 13/07/2022 15:19

You're worried about the 60% that do use the internet?

ginslinger · 13/07/2022 15:21

this makes no sense - 60% of them are using it and you're worried by this?

Original poster
antelopevalley · 13/07/2022 15:21

It seemed a big issue to me. You know retirement age is 68 years old? So 75 is only seven years later.

OP posts:
Original poster
antelopevalley · 13/07/2022 15:22

Sorry I have the title wrong. 40% use it, 60% do not.

OP posts:
ginslinger · 13/07/2022 15:23

it's 40% of people now not forever into the future. I'll be over 75 in too short a time and am perfectly able to use the internet, as are the people I know in my age group

AppleKatie · 13/07/2022 15:23

Yes, but what happens to the statistic if you look at 75-80 year olds?
80-90year olds
over 90s?

you know what that they say about damn lies and statistics.

bigbluebus · 13/07/2022 15:28

My MiL is 93 and she definitely uses it. We also introduced her to Alexa who is now her new best friend.
People need to sort themselves out or, as you say they'll be left behind.
There's lots of free courses around here to teach basic computer literacy to anyone who needs it.
FIL said he'd never use a computer. He eventually gave in and got an ipad once his eyesight meant he could read books any longer. He also used it for the news and looking stuff up but didn't get far beyond that as MIL did everything else.

IncompleteSenten · 13/07/2022 15:28

My mum is only 67 and she is so resistant to the internet.
It's only since my dad died she finally learned how to text!
She has decided it's hard and scary and won't even try.

I'm sure she's not alone in that.

FinanceLPlates · 13/07/2022 15:30

That sounds like an interesting report, is it available online somewhere? (My work involves creating online services so this would be a useful resource for me).

Life is going to be more and more difficult for people who don’t have online access, or don’t know how to use the Internet, this is definitely a concern.

However when done well, online services can also make life easier - for example, my grandmother learned how to use a computer when she was over 80 as she wasn’t very mobile anymore and it opened up lots of new options for her. She did have access to various grandchildren though who could help her out when she got stuck. I fear for people who have nobody to help. Libraries maybe - but not sure how good that provision is anymore!

Aposterhasnoname · 13/07/2022 15:31

I’m surprised that many use it. My parents won’t even have broadband for the tv. They manage by phoning me, or my sister, or one of their three adult grandkids to do whatever needs doing for them.

SheWoreYellow · 13/07/2022 15:32

Where are you getting that from? ONS has it as 55% do use it

www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/businessindustryandtrade/itandinternetindustry/datasets/internetusers/current/internetusers2020.xlsx

Dolphinnoises · 13/07/2022 15:34

It’s not necessarily a knowledge issue. My DF used the internet quite happily for years but has had a stroke and cannot now process information on a screen.

RaisinGhost · 13/07/2022 15:34

Maybe they don't want to. They may read a stat saying something like "90% of people under 50 are on their phone 6 hours a day or more" and think how ridiculous, what a waste of time.

ArcticSkewer · 13/07/2022 15:36

Oh yes ... my mil ... she learned to use facebook. She got to meet lots of nice men who wanted to marry her, ended up ordering something on repeat that she thought was a free sample, and spends half her time 'hunting paedos' as she likes to call it, on online forums.

Excellent

Glad she's in the 40%!

As for the generation behind them, in my workplace the 60-70 year olds are tech savvy and ahead of colleagues 30-40 years younger.

ArcticSkewer · 13/07/2022 15:36

the men ... in case you hadn't guessed ... were catfish!

Original poster
antelopevalley · 13/07/2022 15:37

@FinanceLPlates It is a Campaign for Loneliness Report in 2021.

@SheWoreYellow I can't read the actual figures in your link. Maybe Campaign for Loneliness combines those who do not use it with lapsed users? They are not talking about digital exclusion, but factors that cause loneliness and one is not using the internet to find out what is happening locally.

OP posts:
TheDogsMother · 13/07/2022 15:39

@ArcticSkewer Grin Grin

escapingthecity · 13/07/2022 15:39

Would also be interested to see that broken down further. My DPs and PILs in their 70s are v confident online, but my 96yo granny has never used it, can't use it and won't now learn. We have to do an increasing number of things for her. She finds it particularly hard not being able to go into a local bank branch any more.

Original poster
antelopevalley · 13/07/2022 15:39

Dolphinnoises · 13/07/2022 15:34

It’s not necessarily a knowledge issue. My DF used the internet quite happily for years but has had a stroke and cannot now process information on a screen.

My mother was an early tech developer but later in life could not physically use a keyboard and voice recognition did not work for her.

OP posts:
Cyw2018 · 13/07/2022 15:42

My grandad was 83 when he died in 2004, so would be 101 now if he was still alive, he was internet banking before I was, it was way before they had WiFi so my dad set up a a cable running up the stairs and along the landing to grandad's bedroom, when he came to live with them towards the end, so that he could go on the internet on days when he didn't want to get out of bed.

WeAreTheHeroes · 13/07/2022 15:45

I suspect there are lots of older households where one person is more tech savvy than the other and has a smart phone and a laptop.

My DM does but my DF does not and will not. It did get to the point of being annoying before DM became a silver surfer, DF was forever asking me or my sibling to look stuff up or order things online, but he doesn't want to engage with it.

TeenDivided · 13/07/2022 15:45

My DPs aged 91&87 use it for looking things up and, since covid, online supermarket shop, but are still a hit scared of it. Without DB and I to act as computer support I think they would stop.

CheeseCakeSunflowers · 13/07/2022 15:49

I think I get what your saying, I'm early 60's, SIL and her DH are mid 70's and will not entertain using the internet. It does irritate me when I have to listen the "We've managed all our lives so why do we need it now" argument then as soon as something comes along that they want that requires internet use they expect someone else to deal with it. I have bought a few items for them online but mainly its their dd who gets the job. She works and has a young family whilst they are both retired with far more time to spare.
I think its a shame they have this attitude as when people get older and eventually reach the point when getting out and about is difficult, being able to keep in touch with the world via the internet is particularly useful. In another 20 years, most of that generation will have gone and the next who have always used it will continue to.

SheWoreYellow · 13/07/2022 15:53

antelopevalley · 13/07/2022 15:37

@FinanceLPlates It is a Campaign for Loneliness Report in 2021.

@SheWoreYellow I can't read the actual figures in your link. Maybe Campaign for Loneliness combines those who do not use it with lapsed users? They are not talking about digital exclusion, but factors that cause loneliness and one is not using the internet to find out what is happening locally.

Here is the page the data is on

www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/itandinternetindustry/datasets/internetusers

If you can share your link, we can see what they’re using exactly?