NEW ANALYSIS FROM AGE UK shows that the pandemic has not produced a sea-change in older people’s use of digital technology. The charity is calling for greater support for those who are offline and finding it increasingly difficult to access essential goods and services.
Age UK’s report, Digital inclusion and older people – how have things changed in a Covid-19 world? shows that while just under a quarter (24 per cent) of over-75s in England have increased their internet usage since the pandemic hit, this is mainly driven by existing users going online more often. Most older online users say their use has remained unchanged, with nearly one in 10 (nine per cent) actually using it less.
Since the onset of Covid-19, the public sector, businesses and entertainment providers have increasingly turned to digital technology to engage with customers. For many people, the pandemic has changed the way they work, socialise, communicate, buy goods, access services, and generally live their lives. However, Age UK is warning that the rapid pace of this change is leaving significant numbers of older people behind. While many over-75s are using the internet more for shopping or keeping in touch, some older people have been unable to access free Wi-Fi and computer equipment or training, and many others are physically unable to use a computer or simply not interested in getting online.
The charity is warning that it is therefore essential that those who cannot or do not want to use the internet are not excluded or disadvantaged as a result. Everyone should be able to access information and public services, manage their finances and buy their shopping in the way that suits them.
Age UK’s analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) Covid-19 Substudy Wave 1 shines a light on older people’s internet use a few months after the pandemic hit. and found that:
- Around a third (33 per cent) of those who were not using email in 2018/19 were doing so in 2020. Nearly one in ten (nine per cent) who were emailing in 2018/19 no longer did so in 2020.
- 15 per cent of those who were not managing their finances online in 2018/19 were doing so in 2020, while 19 per cent who were managing their finances online in 2018/19 no longer did so in 2020.
- Almost a third (30 per cent) of those who were not shopping online in 2018/19 were doing so in 2020. Just over a fifth (21 per cent) who were shopping online in 2018/19 no longer did so in 2020.
- Just under a fifth (19 per cent) of those who were looking for health information online in 2018/19 were doing so in 2020. Perhaps surprisingly, three-fifths (59 per cent) who were looking for health information online in 2018/19 no longer did so in 2020.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: “These new findings debunk the idea that the pandemic has prompted a headlong rush online among our older population, and that once an older person starts to use computers they continue to do so and carry out an ever-wider range of tasks using technology. This will disappoint many businesses and policymakers who are keen to move to a digital approach, in the hope of cutting costs. However, our analysis shows that if we continue in that direction and do nothing else, we will simply marginalise millions of older people who either cannot or do not wish to use computers, many of whom never will.
“It is, of course, true that the internet is being used more by older people over time and that the pandemic has acted as a catalyst in this respect. However, it turns out that this is more about existing older online users broadening their range of techy activities than those who are entirely new to computers getting engaged and moving through the gears from email, to online shopping and then to online banking. The end result is that there are still almost two million over-75s who are not using computers at all.
“It’s interesting to see how fluid internet use is among older people, with the numbers starting to use the technology for some tasks being counterbalanced to some degree by those stopping or reducing their level and range of online activities. Intuitively this makes sense since physical and mental ill health often take their toll as people age, and finances can become more stretched as savings are gradually spent down. We do not know if this is more of an age effect than cohort effect but it’s reasonable to conclude at the moment that there will always be considerable numbers of older people who will not be online. Policy and practice must be framed accordingly, however unwelcome this may be from a cost point of view.
“Our research also suggests a lack of digital skills and confidence is a big barrier stopping many of today’s over-75-year-olds going online, alongside the associated costs. We have seen ourselves at Age UK that one-to-one support and free or subsidised kit and broadband really helps overcome these difficulties and we are very grateful for all the donations and funding of this kind that we have received from partner companies. The fact is though that if Government and businesses really want to see a rise in the number of older people using computers, sustained investment is required. More could certainly be done though if the political will and financial wherewithal were there.”
* Read the report here.
* Source: Age UK