UK: ONS reports divide in users of new media

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says that there is an increasing gap in terms of new technology such as internet access between UK households with higher incomes, and lower-income households and older people. In 2006, 80% of adults used the internet for emails or information, 40% to access music, and 43% to bank.

A total of 18% of adults sold goods on the internet auction site eBay. However, under 20% of low income households had internet access, compared with over 90% of the highest-income households. Low income households were more likely to have digital television or mobile phones than a computer or internet access.

The report said that 8% of households did not have access to mobile phones, digital TV or the internet. The ONS also found that 55% of over-50's had not used a computer in the past three months, much more than the 13% of 16-30 year-olds. The biggest factor preventing this use was not having enough interest or knowledge. However, the survey found that 55% of females over 65 used the internet in 2006, compared to 43% of men.
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