Excerpt: How did the pandemic effect the digital experiences of older adults (50-70) and organisations supporting them?
Year Published: 2013
Date Published: 30/05/2025
Research Link: https://ageing-better.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-07/COVID-19-and-the-digital-divide.pdf
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, people without access to the internet were
already at a significant disadvantage in terms of seeking job opportunities,
accessing financial support,
ordering online, and
connecting with organisations.
The pandemic has dramatically
exacerbated this situation. Many
people, for the first time, have
increasingly had to rely on the
internet and digital devices to
access support, get things done
and to participate more fully in
society. This digital inequality can
be particularly seen for those in mid
to later life, with ONS data (2020)
highlighting that prior to the
pandemic, 32% of those who had
never or not recently used the
internet were aged between 50
and 69 (over 1 million individuals).
As a response to this challenging
context, the Centre for Ageing Better commissioned Citizens Online,
a digital skills and inclusion charity,
to conduct a research project to
understand more about the effect of
COVID-19 on digital skills and usage.
The research was conducted with a
range of organisations, local
authorities, and people aged 50-70.
The research aimed to:
– Identify and share the good
practice developed by
organisations to help digitally
excluded older people with
skills training.
– Understand how older people in
need of digital skills support
have improved their knowledge
by engaging with organisations.
The findings from this report will be
of particular interest to leaders
of community organisations, digital
inclusion role holders at local
authorities, digital-focused charities
and funders wanting to support
local community groups.