Most over-65s in Switzerland regularly use the internet

According to the "Digital Seniors 2025" study by Pro Senectute, 88% of 65-74 year-olds have basic digital skills. Keystone-SDA

The digital divide is narrowing faster than expected in Switzerland. A study published on Wednesday reveals that nine out of ten over-65s regularly use the internet. However, access to the digital world for the over-85s is much more difficult.

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According to the “Digital Seniors 2025” study by Pro Senectute, 88% of 65-74 year-olds have basic digital skills. This is more than double the figure of the first survey in 2010. For the 75-84 age group, the proportion is 71%. By contrast, the over-85s are much worse off (43%).

“We estimate that there will always be 5-10% of the very elderly population who will not be connected or who will no longer be connected for health reasons linked to old age,” said Peter Burri Follath, head of communications at Pro Senectute Switzerland.

“We must continue to take these people into account. And we must also respect the choice of some older people not to use digital technologies,” he said.

No more TV or paper newspapers

The study reveals that for the first time, more older people are getting their information from digital devices such as smartphones, tablets and computers (33%) than from traditional media such as television (30%), the written press (22%) or radio (15%).

“We are surprised at the pace of this shift. It is absolutely essential that public services such as the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), Swiss Federal Railways or Swiss Post take in account these changing habits in terms of information channels,” said Burri Follath.

At the same time, every week Pro Senectute receives complaints about the disappearance of physical counters to serve customers, Burri told the Keystone-ATS news agency.

To help people use online services in complete safety, Pro Senectute points out that its cantonal sections are offering increased support tailored to the individual needs of senior citizens.

Translated from German by DeepL/sb

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