Surfing the web is the new “anti ageing cream” for silver surfers, as O2’s new study showed that 77 per cent of over-65s were owners of computers, iPads or laptops.
Research has also suggested that using the internet was making the elderly feel younger as they thought it was a good way to keep up with the digital era, stay in touch with friends, hunt for bargains as well as learn a skill or two.
In addition, Ivy Bean, the eldest Twitter user, who died in July last year, was 104.
Also the majority said that nifty gadgets were improving the quality of their life, as was social networking and the use of Skype – which signaled that silver surfers were ready to try out various options in order to stay in touch with their relatives and friends.
Verity Gill, the founder of Grannynet, was reported as saying:
“Many people from an older generation can use technology just as well as their juniors – it’s time people’ s perceptions caught up with the reality.
“Nonetheless, many are still being left behind, creating a digital divide between those with the confidence to use technology and those without it.”
It has also been reported that three quarters of those surveyed said that they preferred an extra hand with technology, as it was constantly changing, with some saying that they didn’t feel entirely comfortable consulting with shop assistants because of the techy jargon.
A spokesperson for O2 was quoted as saying:
“There are no age limits when it comes to using technology. But while many older people are embracing the digital world, there are many who can feel alienated.”
