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Will the Elderly Dominate the Internet Someday?

Written by: Tammy Finch

Article Overview: New information on senior users on the internet. How they use the internet and what they expect to see on websites.

Will the Elderly Dominate the Internet Someday?

The Internet is not only for America’s youth. While our youth makes up about half of the Internet’s population, mature Internet users are increasing substantially. One reason for this increase is that many of these mature users are retirees that are familiar with the Internet due to training they have received from their jobs. Therefore, they are more comfortable using the Internet, as well as have the extra time to use it.

Statistics for elderly Internet users

According to the AARP 2008 special report, 37.6% of Americans 62 or older are using the Internet for a variety of reasons. This report indicates that the top four reasons for mature Internet usage is:

• 59% browse search engines
• 59% keep up with family and friends through email or through social networking sites, such as Facebook and My Space.
• 43% log on to check current events, news and weather
• 41% make travel plans and reservations

Other reasons elderly are using the Internet include:

• Paying bills
• Playing games
• Training and education
• Searching for health related information

Communicating through social networking sites

Social networking has become a way for the elderly to communicate with friends and family. More and more are moving away from email and logging into social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. Why are they choosing to use these social networking sites over email? Simply for the convenience, and the fact that they can reach people they have not communicated with in a long time. With email, you have to have an actual address, which limits who they are able to communicate with. While this has become a great tool for parents and grandparents to connect with their family, some of the younger generations are not so keen on the idea that their parents or grandparents are able to be added to their “friend list”.

Starting home businesses

Retirement is a wonderful concept, but the reality is that most people are not able to retire and maintain the standard of living they are accustomed to. Not only are those who retire needing to find supplemental income, many people who have not had to work are finding it nearly impossible to survive in this economy without some form of income. Therefore, they are logging onto the Internet to search for home business opportunities.

Once they have found what they would like to pursue, they start using the Internet for information and for marketing purposes. Social networking sites have made it possible for the elderly who have chosen to find a way to make an income from home to network with others. These sites are a great way to find support, as well as market their business.

Making plans for vacation

Many people reaching the age of retirement are using the Internet to make plans for traveling. The Internet is an excellent tool for people to find the best deals and best places to go.

Could the Internet someday be dominated by the elderly?

The mature users of the Internet population have grown over the last few years, as well as the reasons for which the elderly are using the Internet. There are many more people ages 55 and over that are more familiar with how to use the Internet due to training through work, which allows for more people in this age group to access the Internet for a variety of reasons.

With the increase in the need for a supplemental income after retirement, more people will turn to the Internet for business opportunities. Internet businesses will begin to target more people in this age group, which will increase mature Internet users. Will the elderly someday dominate the Internet? With the users becoming younger and younger each year, it is not likely, but they will definitely make up a significant percentage.

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Article Tags: current events, events news, extra time, facebook, family and friends, games training, home businesses, internet usage, internet users, mature internet, mature users, myspace, parents and grandparents, playing games, report indicates that, search engines, social networking sites, travel plans, twitter, weather



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