Website of the UK government
Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.
Main menu
Page menu
Over 50s
Internet use and computer training for over 50s
To make the most of the internet, you'll need basic computer skills and if you haven't already got those then there are courses that can help you get started. More and more people now use the internet, and the number of older users is rapidly increasing – users over 50 are set to dominate online shopping by 2010.
About the internet
The internet is an interconnected network, where millions of people are linked to each other via their computers.
Benefits
While 'surfing the web', you'll have access to a wide range of information without leaving your home.
The internet can be a great resource if you want to look up a topic or browse an internet auction site, find the cheapest deal for a new car or read about health matters or local history. You can book holidays, research your family tree or chat online.
Some websites – like the search website Google – are there to help you find exactly what you want online, and they give good search tips and advice on solving your internet queries.
Internet courses and computer training
Most of the learning is informal, but if you want something more structured, there are a range of training courses available locally and nationally.
learndirect
learndirect provides online courses, and information about the network of learndirect centres. You can contact learndirect on 0800 101 901, 7.00 am to 11.00 pm, Monday to Sunday.
Internet access and training in your community
Your local library or community centres often have internet access free of charge. Your local council or community college may also provide courses.
UK online centres are for people who have little, or no, access to new technologies. The centres help people to develop the skills involved in using the internet to access information and send email.
Age Concern promotes the use of computers for older people and provides learning sessions at local offices. It also offers 'taster sessions' by taking computer training to older people.
Paying for computer training
It's worth looking at the ways you can pay for your training. You might be able to get help to pay for a course.
Organisations for internet users over 50
The Baby Boomer Bistro is an internet chat site for the over 50s. It's designed to encourage discussion with each other as well as with invited experts.
The annual Silver Surfers' day has events countrywide to give you a taste of how the internet can add to your life.
Helping someone else get started on the internet
If you have a friend or family member who wants to get started on the internet there are websites to help them to learn and to suggest how you can support them.
Adapting a computer if you have special requirements
There are a number of ways to make a computer easier to use if you can't use a keyboard. A visual representation of a keyboard on the screen may make things easier. Letters can be selected from the on-screen keyboard using the mouse or a joystick.
Most computers have other basic built-in accessibility options including:
- 'text-to-speech' features
- magnifiers which increase the particular part of the screen you point to
If you are deaf, or have a hearing impairment, some computers have on-screen displays that 'tell' you when your computer makes an alert sound, for example, an incoming email message is received.
More useful links
In this section...
Additional links
Access keys
