Savvy seniors are wired

Despite the perceptions that older Americans are not Internet-savvy, a new study of young seniors, aged 62-75, paints a much different picture.

According to the 2004 Senior Sentiment Survey, 50 percent of young seniors are online (not including e-mail) between 8 and 20 hours per week. In addition, 26 percent use the Internet 22 hours or more each week with 10 percent of seniors surfing the net as much as 29 hours each week or more.

In addition, the survey revealed some interesting differences between the sexes. More men – 58 percent vs. 44 percent of women – described themselves as medium users. However, among heavy users, 28 percent of women vs. 24 percent of men interviewed said they use the Web more than 22 hours per week.

Financial Freedom, one of the nation's largest reverse mortgage lenders, conducted the survey, which explores the financial, social and quality of life attitudes of older Americans.

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