Net clicks with silver surfers

Last updated at 10:25 03 February 2007


Using the Internet has become the favourite pastime for pensioners, according to a survey.

Traditional hobbies such as gardening and DIY have been relegated as 'silver surfers' spend an average of six hours a week online.

E-mailing and chatting to friends and family are their most popular online activities. They also enjoy researching, booking holidays and shopping, the survey by insurance company AXA found.

Spokesman Alison Green said: 'The report highlights how pensioners are using the Internet to support a less stressful approach to life.

'The potentially arduous task of struggling with the shopping is becoming less of an issue as retired people can simply log on to their computers and select groceries at their leisure.'

The survey found that 41 per cent of retired people voted the Internet as one of their favourite pastimes. DIY and gardening were named by 39 per cent, hobbies by 36 per cent and travel and walking by 28 per cent.

Four in ten said they were regular Internet shoppers.

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