Age is one of the key variables affecting the digital divide. Studies show that the lowest use of the Internet exists amongst those between the ages of 2-12 and 65 and up. Those over the age of 65 tend to use the Internet less compared to younger adults for a variety of reasons. This may be because they have difficulties adjusting to new technologies such as the Internet or have little need to adjust since they are retired from the workforce. Vision, hearing, and other physical handicaps can also make it difficult for seniors to take advantage of the resources available through the Internet. While this gap will continue to diminish in time as more and more baby boomers with computer skills retire, researchers and politicians continue to look for news ways to minimize this factor.

Suggested Web Sites
www.seniornet.org
Aimed at Provides information and education to seniors about computer technology. Offers discussion boards on a large range of topics and has enrichment centers where seniors can improve and learn new skills.

www.seniors-on-line.com
Commercial site that offers to help seniors select a computer and physically setup the computer terminal so that they can get connected to the Internet. Site also offers a glossary of computer terms and a posting board for questions relating to computers or the Internet.

Immi.inesc.pt/alcacer01/procs/pdfs/hanson_final.pdf
An article by Vicki L. Hanson entitled "Making the web accessible for Seniors." Examines the role of physical handicaps in contributing to the digital divide and offers solutions to handling these problems. Also discusses a research project underway that uses server technologies to provide reformatted web pages. The goal is to create a system which does not require specialized hardware, ease of individual configuration, and targets multiple disabilities.

www.computeruser.com/news/00/06/19/news18.html
A 2000 report by Jupiter Communications on age gap statistics of Internet use. Concludes "that this gap, too, will narrow in the next five years, with kids' penetration increasing from 32 percent in 2000 to 62 percent by 2005. Senior penetration will increase from a present 16 percent to 48 percent by 2005¡¦ According to Jupiter, in spite of the growth in the youth market, by the end of this year adults 50 years of age and older, will account for 23 million Internet users, which is larger than any of the individual youth segments." (Sherman Fridman)

www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/fttn00/Falling.htm#41
A report by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration entitled "Falling Through the Net: Toward Digital Inclusion," with age statistics on the growth of Internet use between Dec 1998- Aug 2000. Concludes that there has been strong growth in the personal use rate except amongst children (age3-8) and those over 50, which had the next smallest growth with a 10.3% point increase over the time period. Also includes a bar graph displaying Internet use by age.