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Traveling the World by Internet

Adults over the age of 50 are becoming increasingly connected - to the use of personal computers and the Internet.

As home computers have become more user-friendly, the number of older adults tapping into technology is on the rise. A poll conducted by Charles Schwab and Co. and SeniorNet (a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education for adults 50 and older about computer technology and the Internet) found that:

- 40% of adults over the age of 50 own computers
- 46% use the Internet for email to keep in touch with family and friends
- 33% use the computer for games
- 26% use the computer to surf the net
- only 13% of adults over the age of 65 had access to the Internet at home

The Internet can be daunting, but increased access to computer training and Internet resources may be helping to alleviate fears. Many community centers and government agencies offer computer training programs to seniors, often free of charge or at a reduced rate. Many retirement communities and seniors homes are installing computer centers and providing support to interested residents. These put seniors in touch with some of the benefits of the information age, such as:

- maintaining contact with friends and family anywhere via e-mail
- expressing opinions and carrying on conversations, that are accessible even to     the hearing impaired, via chatrooms and newsgroups
- shopping anywhere, anytime, for anything - providing access to a tremendous variety of goods and services that can be delivered.

There are also a variety of resources currently being developed for the visually impaired, to enlarge print on the computer screen and generally make computers easier to use (this research and other pilot projects have been undertaken by IBM in cooperation with SeniorNet).

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