Web-surfing seniors reach online milestone

More than half of seniors are now surfing the Web, according to research released Friday by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. 

Breaking the median threshold for the first time, 53 percent of those 65 or older now use the Internet, predominantly for email. In comparison, 82 percent of those 18+ use the Internet.

One-third of Web-savvy seniors are members of social media sites such as Facebook, but most still turn to email as their primary online communications tool—and almost half of online seniors use email every day.

The 75+ age group remains the least active on the Internet (34 percent are online) and is the least likely to have broadband connectivity at home (21 percent).

The report’s findings are a confidence vote for the deeper investments in online resources and services targeted specifically at seniors. Grandparents.com announced its revamped e-business plan last week, centered on the upcoming launch of a network of applications and services marketed specifically to seniors—everything from finances and insurance to travel and dating.

To learn more, read the full report.

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