Many adults don't find internet a must-have, says study

Published on Wednesday 10 June 2009 22:02

MORE than four out of ten adults who do not have access to the internet at home say they would choose to remain unconnected even if free access was offered, research has shown.

It comes ahead of the government's Digital Britain report, to be published soon, which will develop the idea of universal broadband in the UK.

But it is not all depressing reading for the government. Ofcom's survey found 20 per cent of adults who do not have the internet plan to go online in the next six months.

The figures show that 70 per cent of UK adults now have the internet at home. The research looked at reasons why 30 per cent do not.

Those intending to get the internet in the next six months are more likely to be younger, to use it outside of the home, to be working and to have children.

Their main reason for accessing the internet is for information (36 per cent), followed by communicating with friends and family (26 per cent), keeping up with technology (25 per cent), and because friends and family recommended it (25 per cent).

But 42 per cent of adults stated that their main reason for not having the internet at home was lack of interest or need.

The self-excluded tend to be older and retired and 61 per cent have never used a computer, the research revealed.