22% of Americans over 65 are online

According to a new study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, the ranks of Americans over 65 who use the Internet have jumped by 47% since 2000, making them the fastest-growing group to embrace the online world. Despite the increases, this age group still has a long way to go. Only 22% of Americans over 65 go online, the study shows, compared with 75% of those ages 30 to 49.

66% of wired seniors had looked for health or medical information online at some point in their online life by the end of 2003. That is a 13-point jump since 2000, and a growth rate of 25%. 66% of wired seniors had done product research online by the end of 2003. That is an 18-point jump since 2000, and a growth rate of 38%. 47% of online seniors had bought something on the Internet by the end of 2003. That is an 11-point increase since 2000 and a growth rate of 31%. 41% have made travel reservations online by the end of 2003. That is a 16-point increase since 2000 and a growth rate of 64%. 26% of wired seniors had looked for religious and spiritual information by the end of 2003. That is a 15-point jump since 2000, or a growth rate of 136%. 20% of online seniors had done banking on the Internet by the end of 2003. That is a 12-point increase since 2000 and a growth rate of 150%.