Five questions about: Getting online

 

Simon Read
Friday 30 August 2013 21:20 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Isn't that a picture of World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks?

It sure is. He's backing a new campaign to encourage older people to get online. As a former goalie, Banks's involvement allows the use of puns linking a football net with the internet.

That's a little lame. But surely everyone's using the internet now?

Far from it. Official figures suggest more than 5.1 million pensioners have never been online. Barclays reckons that them not using the internet costs it a collective £3.78bn a year.

Really? How on earth do they work that out?

Well, a typical older internet user saves around £61 a month thanks to shopping-comparison sites, lower travel costs and generally cheaper shopping online. That adds up to a decent £742 saving a year, more than the cost of a tablet.

Crikey. So what should older people do?

There may be free courses at local libraries where they can get a feel for using the internet, or younger members of the family can probably lend a helping hand. Also, Barclays has set up 3,500 "Digital Eagles in branches to help.

And how's Gordon Banks getting on?

"Access to the internet has opened a whole new world," he claims. "I've been watching You Tube clips of my Pele save and catching up on Emmerdale."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in