Research and retrieval of news articles by:
Bennett Gold LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants

SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL VISITORS:
Effective December 31 2012, articles are no longer being updated on this web site.
The site is now maintained as an historical archive, covering notable e-commerce news articles from the period 1999 to 2012.

SENIORS RAPIDLY ADOPTING INTERNET

Over-55 age group now fastest-growing body of Web users in United States

Posted on September 18, 2000

      They may not have been the first to hop onto the Internet, but senior citizens are making up for lost time.

      New research shows that those older than 55 now constitute the fastest-growing group of American Internet users. More than 12 million elders are hooked to the Internet, a 106 percent increase over last year.

      Their numbers are expected to more than triple over the next five years, according to a study by research firm International Data Corp. By 2004, their ranks are expected to reach 34 million strong, and account for 20 percent of all new Internet users.

      Internet experts point to a variety of factors as reasons for the "gray wave" sweeping the e-world.

      Seniors are drawn by many of the same attractions as younger folks: the ease of staying in touch with family and friends via e-mail, the travel and other bargains available, the hobby and entertainment resources, and the convenience of shopping online. Even so, the elderly on the whole remain more leery than other age groups of online fraud and privacy infringements.

      Simplified and less-expensive computers, along with easier e-mail access, have made the Internet more accessible. More and more senior citizens centers and other community organizations are offering computer courses for older Americans. Some senior housing facilities are being wired for high-speed Internet access.

      Not only are more seniors wired to the Internet, they also spend more time online than younger users do. A study by computer manufacturer Packard Bell found that seniors averaged about 12 hours a week, compared with 10 hours for younger adults.

E-Commerce Alerts are issued by Bennett Gold LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as situations develop. Bookmark this site and check back often. Our e-mail address is: info@BennettGold.ca

In accordance with United States Code, Title 17, Section 107 and Article 10 of The Berne Convention on Literary and Artistic Works, the news clippings on this web site are made available without profit for research and educational purposes.

ALERT
ARCHIVES
Final Entries
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999