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Seven million UK adults have never used internet | Seven million UK adults have never used internet |
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More than seven million adults in the UK have never used the internet, official figures suggest. | More than seven million adults in the UK have never used the internet, official figures suggest. |
The data revealed around 1 million more people have ventured on to the web since this time last year. | |
But the latest statistics show 14% of those over the age of 16 have never accessed material online. | But the latest statistics show 14% of those over the age of 16 have never accessed material online. |
Significantly more women than men have never used the internet (4.2 million compared with 2.8 million), the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. | Significantly more women than men have never used the internet (4.2 million compared with 2.8 million), the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. |
It found that 326,000 adults used the internet for the first time between January and March this year. | It found that 326,000 adults used the internet for the first time between January and March this year. |
A spokesperson for the ONS said: "Internet use is linked to various socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, disability, geographical location and weekly earnings. | |
"For example, those who are less likely to have used the internet include elderly and disabled adults." | "For example, those who are less likely to have used the internet include elderly and disabled adults." |
A breakdown of the population by age showed almost all of those between 16 and 24 (99%) have used the web. | A breakdown of the population by age showed almost all of those between 16 and 24 (99%) have used the web. |
Those least likely to have connected were 75 or over. | Those least likely to have connected were 75 or over. |
However, there was a marked increase in internet users among people of this age in the past two years. | However, there was a marked increase in internet users among people of this age in the past two years. |
At the beginning of 2011, estimates suggested 23.8% of this demographic had accessed the internet, compared with 34.3% this year (1.6 million people). | At the beginning of 2011, estimates suggested 23.8% of this demographic had accessed the internet, compared with 34.3% this year (1.6 million people). |
But it warned that estimates relating to elderly people should be treated with a degree of caution because of smaller sample sizes. A regional breakdown of the figures showed Londoners were most likely to have made a foray online. | But it warned that estimates relating to elderly people should be treated with a degree of caution because of smaller sample sizes. A regional breakdown of the figures showed Londoners were most likely to have made a foray online. |
An estimated 90% of those in the capital have accessed web content. | An estimated 90% of those in the capital have accessed web content. |
People in Northern Ireland were least likely to have embraced the digital age. In this area, 79% of adults have gone online, the figures suggested. | People in Northern Ireland were least likely to have embraced the digital age. In this area, 79% of adults have gone online, the figures suggested. |
In the two years since it began to collate the data, it said the number of adults who have used the web has risen by 2.4 million (6%), from an initial 41.1 million. | In the two years since it began to collate the data, it said the number of adults who have used the web has risen by 2.4 million (6%), from an initial 41.1 million. |
Income remains a barrier to getting online however. "Internet use has almost reached full coverage for those earning in excess of £500 a week, with internet use at 98% or above for all adults with weekly pay rates above this level," said the spokesperson. | Income remains a barrier to getting online however. "Internet use has almost reached full coverage for those earning in excess of £500 a week, with internet use at 98% or above for all adults with weekly pay rates above this level," said the spokesperson. |
It found more than 5% of workers with a gross weekly pay of less than £200 per week have never connected. | It found more than 5% of workers with a gross weekly pay of less than £200 per week have never connected. |