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By Suzanna Kerridge, 9 December 1999 00:20

NEWS The government has launched a raft of initiatives designed to get the over-50s online. As so-called 'silver surfers' surge ahead in the Internet usage stakes, the Better Government for Older People programme is designed to help even more of them get online. The number of middle-aged people surfing the Net has reached more than one million, according to government figures, and that number is increasing as Christmas draws closer and people shop online. The initiative includes setting up nationwide pilot projects offering free taster sessions where people can experiment using the Internet. Martin Shreeve, director of Better Government for Older People, said: "There is a greater number of older people going online for a combination of reasons. They are retired and have more leisure time during the week, and they are learning that it is economical, especially if they have grandchildren living abroad, to stay in touch with them by email." But Sandie Huntington, manager of Age Resource, a subsidiary of Age Concern, said:
"Why do older people go online? All older people see IT as the future, everywhere they turn, whether listening to the radio or watching the television. They are aware of email and Web addresses being quoted the whole time." But fear of technology is often a deterrent to older people going on line, claimed Huntington. "Initially it is not very easy for a lot of people. If they had contact with companies at work, then they know a little about it, but for those who don't know anything about it, then there are a number of issues that scare then off. "Many fear they will not be able to cope with it, and cost is also a great off-putting factor. If you have to choose between a hot meal and turning the heating on then going online is not terribly important to you," she said.