Digital Inclusion
view printable versionThe statistics in relation to older people and their use of digital
technology presents some serious implications. An increasing number
of older people face social digital exclusion as a result of not being digitally
engaged. The current understanding of the situation is:
- 19 million people in the UK are over 50
- 14 million older people are digitally excluded
- 2.4 million live below the poverty line
By 2040, there will be 5 million more people aged 65+ than in
2000
Internet usage by the older adult population declines dramatically
with increasing age:
- 50% 50-59 year olds use the internet
- 26% 60-69
- 11% 70-79
- 2% 80+
Age Concern (http://www.ace.org.uk/) is working hard to address this issue and has recently run a successful digital inclusion campaign in May 2006, called Silver Surfer Week (http://www.silversurfer.org.uk/), in partnership with Digital Unite (www.hairnet.org) and with support from BT, Intel, Microsoft, AOL, Ofcom and Learndirect. This week long campaign reached a total of 17,000 older people, where over 52% of participants had never had any computer experience prior to attending the week and over 84% wanted to continue learning. 80% participants were between 60-79 years old, and feedback from participants has revealed that the most preferred method of engagement with computers was through group lessons in a peer learning environment (44%) followed by one-to-one training (42%).
Age Concern has recognised through the results of Silver Surfer Week that the
motivation from older people to engage with digital technology is present.
However, the biggest barrier for older people to engage with computer learning
is not having access to a comfortable learning environment.
Additionally, many local Age Concerns and other event holders from
Silver Surfer Week (libraries, community centres, shelter homes, schools, etc.)
have highlighted that certain areas of support is required to deliver computer
training for older people, despite a ‘physical’ environment being
available.
Needs identified through the evaluation included
requests for additional support, information, toolkits, training, volunteer
recruitment, funding, and the ability to network with other ground-level
practitioners delivering digital inclusion projects. Another area of need was
identified as training to learn of and incorporate best practice to service
delivery for older people.
Having identified a clear gap that needed to
be filled in order to facilitate digital inclusion, Age Concern is launching the
DI Network and opening its membership to any project or organisation delivering
ICT training to older people. The DI Network aims to reach and support
over 300 local projects to deliver computer training to over 1 million people in
the next 5 years. To find out more about the Digital Inclusion Network,
including how to join, please contact Zainab Jah – Technology and Communications
Development Officer via tel: 020 8765 7611 or email: diginetwork@ace.org.uk.
Zainab Jah
Technology and Communications Development
Officer
Age Concern England
020 8765 7611
diginetwork@ace.org.uk.