Broadband adoption by silver surfers is growing at a faster rate than the average European user, according to a new survey.
The research, conducted by the European Interactive Advertising Association, reveals that 68 per cent of users aged 55 years and over have a broadband connection.
This increase has significantly boosted the online sociability of 55-plus users. One in five now visit social-networking sites at least once a month, while since 2005 use of online forums has grown 113 per cent. These 'silver surfers' now spend an average of 8.8 hours online per week, a growth of 18 per cent since 2005.
Online shopping has also boomed among users aged 55 and over - 74 per cent have bought goods on the web. Travel sites are also very popular, with 60 per cent visiting travel sites, 7 per cent more than the average European user.
www.eiaa.net