The World Wide Web may be 25 years old this month, but the UK’s digital divide perseveres, with nearly six million older people who have never been online. Spring Online in association with Carphone Warehouse aims to change all that, with hundreds of free internet taster events being held across the UK next week (March 31 – April 4) to help people take their first steps online.
The good news is that tablets and smartphones are helping older people realise how the internet can enrich their lives – bringing opportunities to keep in touch with friends and family, access the services they need and save money.
A YouGov survey at the end of 2013 found that over a third of tablet owners (35%) in the UK are aged over 55 years. For the first time in the campaign’s 13 year history, more than half of all Spring Online events next week will offer help and tuition in using them.
Our Acting MD, Dick Stroud, pictured here with 10 year old Tanush Nichani at the IBM Hursley Museum, Hampshire, says: “Thankfully technology has come a long way since this IBM System 23 datamaster was especially designed for first-time users in the 1980s. Larger keys and bigger screens are much easier for older people to use, and touch screens make internet access a lot easier than using a keyboard. It’s great to see so many of our Spring Online event holders taking advantage of this new trend to help engage and inspire new internet users.”
Spring Online events are being held this week at libraries, cafes, community centres, shops, churches and housing estates across the country. Find your nearest event at www.digitalunite.com/spring-online or by calling 0800 77 1234.