Recent months have seen older people flock to the internet and challenge the idea that the web is mainly for younger generations, it has been suggested.

A recent Ofcom report found that 'silver surfers' now make up a quarter of net users in the UK and Lisa Harris of Saga Group claimed that they were the faster growing adopters of the web.

"The biggest increase in the number of internet users is amongst the over 50s", she said.

"They are rapidly turning to not just researching online but also online shopping and even social networking."
Ms Harris added that older web surfers are "more thoughtful" in their web use, with Ofcom figures showing they spend more time (42 hours) online per month than 18 to 24-year olds (37.9 hours).

Improved connections allow for greater communications between family members, which may be ideal for older generations who wish to stay socially active.

Last month, the editor of New Age Media magazine, Justin Pearse, said that cheaper calls using IP telephony services are important for over 50s as it stops them being cut off from the rest of society.

"People are able to keep in touch with their grandchildren who may be not be in the country," he added.

"If you wanted to contact somewhere like Australia for example, it is much cheaper to do so across the web."