What Are Silver Surfers?

The phrase, silver surfers, refers to web users who are aged 50 plus and regularly use the internet for shopping, banking and staying in touch with family. Retired people in the UK are now the fastest growing segment of the online population, wielding their high disposable incomes via credit cards.

There are thought to be well over two million people in the UK who can be classified as silver surfers. Their influence – and spending – has not gone unnoticed and is being positively courted by many in the form of dedicated silver surfer interest sites and even a broadband internet service provider.

Strangely enough, there is little to distinguish the web habits of silver surfers from the way the internet is used by 16 to 24-year-olds. However, there is a wide divergence in search terms, with silver surfers' favourite topics being health, finance and genealogy.

Silver surfers are also quick to adopt new technology to their benefit, latching onto Instant Messaging, internet phone calls and video conferencing to keep in touch with family around the globe.