Tablets Boost UK Internet Use But Most Apps Are Never Used

The increasing use of tablets is encouraging more people than ever, especially older people, to access the Internet, but two thirds of the applications downloaded onto mobile devices are never used, according to Ofcom.

The UK communications regulator’s Adults Media Use and Attitudes Report says 42 percent of all people aged 65 or over used the Internet during 2013, an increase from 33 percent the year before, with 17 percent using a tablet.

Indeed, tablet use among all adults in the UK has jumped from 16 percent to 30 percent in the space of 12 months, with 59 percent accessing the web through their smartphone.

Rise of the silver surfer

The use of mobile devices to access the Internet has encouraged a significant app economy, with 48 percent of all UK smartphone users downloading an app. The average user has 23 apps, but only ten of these are used regularly, bad news for app developers compounded by the fact that word-of-mouth recommendations are the most effective driver of downloads, especially compared to advertising.

The total number of adults using the Internet in the UK has increased to 83 percent, with nearly all people aged 35 or less using the web. However older users tend to use the Internet only for websites and email, while younger users perform at least nine activities every quarter.

Additionally, those aged between 16 and 24 spend 24 hours and 13 minutes on the internet each week, whereas those above 65 spend just 9 hours and 12 minutes every seven days.

Younger users are also more informed about protecting personal information, such as privacy settings on Facebook, blocking friends and followers on social networks and deleting older posts. They are also more likely to provide personal data to sites so long as they get something in return.

There have been a number of initiatives from the government and voluntary organisations to get older people using the Internet by teaching them basic online skills to prevent digital exclusion as more and more public services become web-based.

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