Tablets are driving the rise in the Silver Surfer

Tablet devices are driving the increase in the number of over 65’s using the internet. A recent survey carried out by OFcom has found that around a quarter of over 65’s are regularly using the internet, of which 17% are using a mobile tablet device as their main medium for accessing the internet.

The recent rise in the ‘Silver Surfer’ has been driven by their significant use in tablets. In 2012, only 5% of UK adults over the age of 65 used a tablet as their main medium for accessing the internet, in 2013 this increased to 17%.

Despite this significant increase, the over 65 age group still spends the least amount of time online of any adult age group. On average, those over 65 spend just over nine hours online every week, this is in contrast to those aged 16-24, who devote about 24 hours each week to online activities. The majority of adults over 65, use the internet primarily for browsing websites and checking emails, while younger users are more likely to bank online, watch and download TV and films and use social media.

More generally, six out of ten UK adults use smartphones for browsing the internet of which, 59% of adults now own. Also, the use of tablets has nearly doubled from 16 percent to 30 percent among all UK Adults.

The rise in the Silver Surfers has also driven the overall use of the internet amongst all adults to 83%. Also contributing to this rise was greater web use among those in the age ranges 25-34 and 45-54.

This is another example showing us how the mobile is transforming the way that people of all age groups are consuming media and information. The Mobile market is expected to continue its massive growth over the next few years and is showing no signs of slowing down.