Press & PR

The number of older people using the internet is increasing significantly, according to Age Concern.

Gordon Lishman, director general of the support organisation, has commented that while three in five people over the age of 50 have access to a computer, there are fewer web services dedicated to this group than other age brackets.

"Increasing numbers of older people are going online as they find it a great way to pursue hobbies, keep in touch with family or even meet new friends online," he noted.

As a result, he asserted that web providers need to be more aware of the strength of the "grey pound" - the level of spending undertaken by older generations.

Online resource alljoinon.com recently released statistics which suggested that the average internet-using 60 year old spends around two hours per day online, spending an average of £48.78 per month on goods purchased over the internet.

Vonage offers internet users of all ages a way of making cheap calls to keep in touch with friends and family using VoIP services.