One third of over-75s use the internet

In 2012, one in three over-75s used the internet. More men than women in this age group use the internet. E-mailing and retrieving information are popular internet activities, social media are rarely used.

More older people use the internet

Last year, 34 percent in the Dutch population aged 75 or older occasionally used the internet. The internet use rate is considerably higher among 65 to 75-year-olds and has risen rapidly from 42 percent in 2006 to three quarters in 2012. Internet use among over-75s was first surveyed in 2012 and is just under 42 percent. Almost everyone under the age of 65 uses the internet.

Share internet users by age

More older men than women active on the internet

Nearly half of men aged 75 or older occasionally use the internet, i.e. nearly twice as many as their female counterparts. In the 65 to 75-year-old population, the gap between men (83 percent) and women (76 percent) is much narrower.

Share internet users by gender, 2012

Older people use the internet mainly for e-mail and retrieving information

Nearly all internet users e-mail and two thirds surf the internet to gather information. Chatting and social media are far less popular among older people. Only one in ten over-75s and one quarter of 65 to 75-year-old people using the internet are active on social media, as against 71 percent of under-65s. With respect to online shopping, there are also obvious differences between the various age groups: eight in ten 12 to 65-year-old internet users occasionally buy something online. The ratios for 65 to 75-year-olds and over-75s are four in ten and one in ten respectively.

Apart from e-mailing, older internet users surf the web to retrieve information and for online banking. They also book trips, read newspapers, watch TV and listen to the radio online.

Activities internet users, 2012

Ger Sleijpen