Some older Australians missing out on the Internet

Stephen Withers
Friday, 08 May 2009 13:59

Your IT - Home IT

More people used email than anything else, regardless of age. (So much for the idea that instant messaging has displaced email among the young?)

Instant messaging does take the number two spot for 14-17 year olds, but that drops to number four for 18-24s and nine for 25-34s. It doesn't figure in the top ten activities for any other age group. (I realised a long while ago that I was atypical!)

Banking transactions sweeps second place for all over 18s, with bill paying at number three for the 25 and overs.

Downloading music is in third spot for 14-17s, with general browsing for 18-24s.

One area where older users are ahead is in the adoption of VoIP. Only 16 percent of VoIP users are under 25 (a demographic that makes heavy use of mobile phones and IM). One third of them were aged 50 and over.

Not surprisingly, people with dial-up access go online less often than those with broadband. If you use the Internet frequently, you'd probably want broadband if only to keep your phone line free.

And once you've got broadband, the always-on nature makes it easier to quickly check for email, look up a train timetable, or watch a YouTube video during a coffee break.