Recent research published by iReach reveals that only 21 per cent of adult internet users are older than 50 years. However, this figure is increasing as a growing number of retirees realise the countless social and financial benefits of being able to go online. Internet users in the over-50s category now account for the largest online spend across a range of internet areas, including holiday and travel services. Half of those surveyed said that life without the internet would be unimaginable.

Thankfully, there are a growing number of initiatives aimed at the remaining 79 per cent of seniors who have yet to embrace the worldwide web. These projects have been established to encourage older people to get to grips with the internet, expand their skills and knowledge base, keep in touch with friends and relatives abroad, research hobbies and interests, locate good holiday offers and cheap flights, download application forms and access unlimited information at the click of a button.

Dublin City Council’s Websmart (www.dublincity.ie) programme is free of charge and available at local libraries around the country. It comprises a four-part computer course, access to the internet and one-to-one individual sessions. According to Mark French-Mullen, divisional librarian at Dublin City Libraries, Websmart is very popular and anyone interested should sign up immediately. “The courses are over-subscribed so the waiting lists are long,” he says.

However, the course is well worth the wait. French-Mullen says the feedback from those who have completed the course has been extremely positive. “The reaction has been amazing. People have told us how they suddenly feel part of the 21st century and are now able to build up relationships with children and other family members who are living overseas. Of course, the financial benefits are also a big advantage. The most obvious one being access to cheap flights.”

Age Action Ireland (www.ageaction.ie) has joined forces with Dublin City Council to encourage more seniors to join the silver surfers. The Getting Started initiative has trained more than 800 people through 80 community groups across Dublin. The programme is going nationwide and the goal for 2009 is to provide education to a further 3,000 people across Ireland.

Getting Started aims to help older people gain confidence using computers, the internet and mobile phones. According to Helen McQuillan, Getting Started’s national development manager, the classes are at a basic level and the focus is on helping people take those first tentative steps towards using technology.

“Some people are terrified of using computers and we hope that, by the end of the course, they will be able to log on, search for information and even complete tasks such as making an online purchase,” she says.

Training is provided by volunteer tutors in small classes, with an emphasis on encouragement and support for older learners. Courses are free and are held in a range of venues, including libraries, schools and community centres. They normally run for two hours a week, over six to eight weeks. If you would like more information on the Getting Started programme, email gettingstarted@ageaction.ie.

Log On Learn (www.logonlearn.ie) is a Government-run programme designed to ‘buddy up’ a participating transition-year student with an older person from their community. The initiative was launched last October and more than 100 schools nationwide are taking part. The student is equipped with an eight-module programme that is designed to help the older person learn computer and internet skills.

The one-to-one aspect of training enables the students to tailor the training to suit each retiree’s needs. The eight-week programme, which is carried out in the home, takes into account the person’s initial skill level, learning pace, interests and hobbies.

Seniors who already know their explorer bar from their pop-up blocker but are eager to meet other adults and swap tips about the internet should visit the Seniors Cyber Café at St Anne’s Church on Dawson Street in Dublin 2. Here, silver surfers can meet other mature internet enthusiasts and access a host of computer and internet facilities. The cyber café is open from 12 noon to 3pm daily. However, it is currently closed until July for refurbishment purposes.

What do you think?
Have you found the internet to be beneficial?
What do you use the internet for the most (getting information, making purchases, booking tickets/holidays etc)?