Study: Seniors make little use of the Internet
Around 60 percent of people over 65 do not use the internet. However, more and more information and services are only available online. Older people are thus becoming increasingly marginalized.
This is the result of a representative study conducted by the Center for Gerontology at the University of Zurich on behalf of Pro Senectute Switzerland. While 58 percent of 65- to 69-year-olds and 50 percent of 70- to 74-year-olds surf the web, only 8 percent of over 85-year-olds "dare" to go online. Whether senior citizens surf the Internet depends heavily on their social environment. Those who have friends or children who use the Internet usually have a more positive attitude towards the medium and also use it themselves. The level of education and social class also facilitate access to the Internet.
Most older people (around 88%) mainly use the internet to write emails. They also use the web to check timetables or obtain information on specific topics, for example. According to study director Rudolf Schelling, older people would use the internet more if it were more age-appropriate. Most of those who are never online consider the web to be too complicated (71 percent). Many of them also consider the effort required to learn how to use the Internet to be too great (60 percent). There are also major concerns about data security.
Most older people (around 88%) mainly use the internet to write emails. They also use the web to check timetables or obtain information on specific topics, for example. According to study director Rudolf Schelling, older people would use the internet more if it were more age-appropriate. Most of those who are never online consider the web to be too complicated (71 percent). Many of them also consider the effort required to learn how to use the Internet to be too great (60 percent). There are also major concerns about data security.
Low-threshold solutions required
In order to make it easier for "offliners" to enter the virtual world, the study states that customized solutions are needed. The authors therefore suggest, among other things, promoting low-threshold training and support services. People without a connection are already disadvantaged in various areas, for example when ordering tickets. It is therefore essential that these traditional channels to information and services continue to exist.
