Which?: Computer-savvy over-50s could use more help with broadband

Although the over-50s are increasingly confident when it comes to broadband usage, a new study from Which? says they could use more help with security issues.

According to the consumer publication, over-50s often do not know where to get help when they have problems with their broadband service and can be left bemused when faced with jargon-filled error messages.

Almost 60 per cent of over-50s have access to a computer, according to new Which? figures, and many could potentially be saving money by using VoIP solutions.

A spokeswoman for Which? said more help is needed to make the lives of over-50s easier: "You can go on computer courses and learn to word process, but you're not told about all the error messages that can pop up that can throw a spanner into the works."

She added that 70 per cent of older web users were worried about system crashes and had concerns about internet safety.

Which? research revealed that in the past 12 months 70 per cent of over-50s have had problems with their computer.