Firms Celebrate Silver Surfer's Day

Today is Silver Surfers Day, celebrating the large numbers of over-50s who are using the internet.

The nature of the broadband industry is much changed since the day was first marked seven years ago, with many older people joining the online revolution. Far from being the "technophobes" of popular stereotype, there is evidence to suggest that silver surfers might actually be over-represented on the internet in terms of demographics.

Research from insurer RIAS reveals that almost one third of total web users are over 50. Moreover, 17 per cent of the group have downloaded music or podcasts, 22 per cent own an mp3 player, seven per cent blog and 79 per cent have been on video site YouTube.

Managing director of RIAS, Janet Connor, said: "The readiness to adopt new technology being demonstrated by the over 50s doesn't surprise us…We know from feedback from our customers that items such as computers, laptops, mobile phones and mp3 players are no longer considered ‘gadgets', or as the domain of the young, but as essential household items."

Silver Surfers day was also commented on by fellow insurer More Than, which found recently that people aged 55 and over were just as likely to start an online business as 18 to 24-year-olds.

"This research shows the older generation of entrepreneurs are not only adapting to the internet, but they are also competing head-on with the younger generation in the business arena using new technology," the firm's business chief Mike Bowman said.