It is hard to believe, but there are still seven million adults in the UK who have never used the internet.
The figure was released this week by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), which said the majority of those offline were likely to be the elderly or disabled. There were also 4.2 million women not using the internet, compared to 2.8 million men.
Digital accessibility charity Go On UK told the BBC that more was needed to help get people onto the world wide web.
The charity’s Graham Walker said: “It’s not just about access to the internet. Sixteen million adults don’t have the basic online skills to confidently take advantage of digital tools.”
The statistics found that, not surprisingly, London had the highest percentage of people taking advantage of the internet at 90%, while Northern Ireland had the lowest at 79%.
In the 16-24 age bracket, 99% used the internet, with the majority of people offline being those over 75.
Michelle Mitchell, charity director general at Age UK, said: “With more services heading online, with the aim of potentially saving the government millions, the government must invest in greater training to open up the web to all.”
It must be a bit mind blowing for someone over 75 coming to grips with the internet for the first time. When they were growing up, the idea of a small machine being able to connect you with the rest of the world would have seemed like a sci-fi fantasy.
Most of us are so used to using it nowadays we forget just how amazing and revolutionary it really is, or what life was like without it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22538136