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The use of PCs by the elderly in the 60-64 age bracket has increased from 13.8% in 2005 to 25% in 2009 and from 5.5% to 9. For the 65-74 year olds. During the same period, the use of the Internet has increased from 10.8% to 22.8% for 60-64 year olds and 3.9% to 8.5% for 65-74 year olds. Over four years, the elderly showed the greatest increase in the use of new technologies (81%). This data, recently published by Istat, emphasizes how the needs of daily life lead the elderly to exploit PCs and the web: Citizens and New Technologies (Istituto nazionale di statistica).
In fact, many computer courses have been developed for the elderly. In Rome, the leader in digital literacy initiatives for the elderly is the Fondazione Mondo Digitale that has recently presented the new Telemouse training initiative promoted in collaboration with Telecom Italia.
Building on the success of Grandparents on the Internet, launched by FMD in 2003, the new TeleMouse project aims to familiarise the elderly with new technologies through the help of teachers and young Roman students, who will receive scholastic credits for their work.
Telecom Italia has equipped 50 Internet Corners in school IT labs and elderly centres where the elderly can learn to use PCs and surf the web as well as grow acquainted with e-government services and new communication tools.
More than 60 schools participate in this initiative. At the Istituto comprensivo di via F.Santi, the young tutors have already produced a report on their first four meetings with the elderly.
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