Internet NZ chief executive Jordan Carter wants to close the digital divide. Photo / Supplied
Internet NZ chief executive Jordan Carter wants to close the digital divide. Photo / Supplied
Grey-haired Kiwis can no longer be called the digital dinosaurs of the internet.
A recently released report shows people aged over 65 are becoming much more internet-savvy.
The Auckland University of Technology report, Internet Trends in New Zealand 2007-2015, compares findings from five surveys which were compiled from more than 7000 questionnaires.
It tracks key trends in how our online behaviour has altered over the past eight years, across all major social groupings. And reveals how our daily communication, consumer interactions and sources of news and information have changed.
Confidence levels in the elderly have risen. Now 60 per cent of pensioners rate themselves as "good" on the internet, up from 25 per cent in 2007.
In 2007, 82 per cent of people used the Internet. This jumped to 90 per cent in 2015.
Project executive director Dr Philippa Smith said the elderly have traditionally struggled with new technologies.
"Not only are they are using the internet more for communication or making financial transactions, but the numbers of people rating the internet as important in their lives has jumped from 21 per cent in 2007 to almost 60 per cent in 2015," Smith said.
"Also remarkable is the uptake of mobile devices for connecting to the internet over this time."
The report also highlights the digital divides. Those who are young, urban, wealthy and New Zealand European or Asian are more likely to use the internet more frequently.
There are no significant gender differences in access to internet but men and women tend to use it differently. Men watch more videos and women play online games daily more often.
Internet NZ chief executive Jordan Carter wants to close the digital divide. Photo / Supplied
Internet NZ chief executive Jordan Carter said the findings show improvement is needed to get more people online. He is particularly concerned about groups of low income, Pasifika descent and those who live rurally.
"We are still concerned about the digital divides relating to household income, location and ethnicity groups."
A large divide exists between high and low household income groups with 31 per cent fewer people in low income households using the internet than high income households.
Newfangled apps such as Snapchat and Whatsapp may be replacing the humble text message, with 44 per cent using the instant messaging platforms daily.
