The number of people aged 65-74 who are using a tablet computer to go online has more than trebled within a year. New figures from Ofcom show an increase from 5% of these older people using internet-connected tablets in 2012 to 17% of older people in 2013.
This adoption of tablets has helped increase the number of people aged 65 and over accessing the internet by more than a quarter, from 33% in 2012 to 42% in 2013.
Overall, internet use is up from 79% of adults in 2012 to 83% last year. Younger people (16-24 year olds) spend an average 24 hours and 12 minutes each week online, while adults over 65 spend an average 9 hours and 12 minutes online every week.
Tablet-based internet usage has almost doubled amongst adults from 16% in 2012 to 30% in 2013, while 59% of people access the internet through a mobile phone.
[Ofcom Adults’ Media Use and Attitudes Report]