Press Release

OFCOM MEDIA LITERACY REPORT SHOWS MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR OLDER PEOPLE

16 May 2008

Commenting on the publication of the Media Literacy Audit from Ofcom which shows low rates of internet use among older people, Amy Swan, policy officer at Help the Aged said:-

"This report highlights just how much further we have to go before use of the internet among older people can successfully play a part in combating social exclusion. 

"Our own research* shows that a third of older people feel out of touch, with a further one in eight saying they are often or always lonely.  Unacceptably large numbers of the older population already experience multiple disadvantage and exclusion, with 2.2 million people of pensionable age living below the poverty line**.  While technology advances and revolutionises the way we manage our money, our care and our health; older people are likely to find themselves remaining excluded unless they can access the IT skills required to manage in this time of change.

"Of particular note within this report is the fact that so many older people over 75 do not have access to digital technology.  The exceptionally slow rate of internet take-up among this age group should be a major cause for concern and needs to be urgently addressed."