6 July 2006

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is planning to help older people use the Internet to stop them being "isolated".

Government officials have targeted the 2010 to halve the gap in Internet usage, stating that many older people would find online service more beneficial if they had the right support, assistance and learning environment.

Colette Bowe, Ofcom consumer panel chairman, said: "The panel takes older people's ability really to use this technology very seriously.

"This is my generation and many of us are not as engaged in today's rapidly evolving communications world as other people.

He adds that the widening range of local and central government services online, as well as the best deals for commercial services, some people who do not have access to the Internet will find themselves increasingly excluded.

Government statistics state that there are 20 million people in the UK over the age of 50, while 60 per cent of over-65s do not understand the term broadband.

© Adfero Ltd

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