Non-internet users 'feel ignored'

Using the internet has become such an integral part of people's lives that those who cannot interact with it feel they are ignored by the wider world, new research has shown.

A study by Post Office Broadband found that 18 per cent of non-internet users felt this way, while 20 per cent did not like the fact that they were unable to access public information that web-savvy people could.

However, the research also indicated that 71 per cent of people tried to teach friends and family how to get online - but one in ten people said that the attempt ended in an argument.

"Most people know a family member or close friend who uncertain about using the internet so teaching them how to get online is the perfect gift," said Stewart Fox-Mills, Post Office Broadband head.

"But as anyone who has tried to do this will testify, things can come unstuck when jargon and a basic lack of PC skills become insurmountable."

A report out this month from Point Topic revealed that people are still signing up to broadband despite the economic downturn.

In the third quarter of the year, connections were found to have risen by 1.9 per cent to top 17 million.