Internet habits of people over 49

August 9, 2005 2:06 PM

I'm trying to find some statistics on Internet habits of people over the age of 49. I'd like to try to find information like: 1) % on the internet 2) Time on internet 3) % buy on Internet 4) Regularity of buying 5) Types of things purchased. 6) Etc. Thank you for your time. Have a great one.
posted by JohnGL to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Try the Pew Internet & American Life project site.

They have reports like this one [pdf]
posted by ijsbrand at 2:52 PM on August 9, 2005

Elderly (65 and older) use of the Internet
posted by ericb at 3:07 PM on August 9, 2005

Anecdotal experience says the number one thing old people use the internet for is airfares and other travel data.

This comes from selling computers to said elderly folk and talking about what they do with them. YMMV.
posted by TTIKTDA at 1:18 AM on August 10, 2005

Over 49 is not "elderly." And I use the internet a lot (too much, obviously, since I'm here).

Also, the wording of this question suggests that it's for commercial purposes. Is this so?
posted by languagehat at 6:28 AM on August 10, 2005

The Nielsen Norman group has a usability-focused report on internet usage by senior citizens. (Like the previous links, this only covers the 65+ age group.)
posted by mbrubeck at 8:24 AM on August 10, 2005