Silver surfers on the internet

Abstract

Germany encounters a demographic change; the proportion of over 50s is increasing significantly. Users of the internet with an age over 50 years are defined as Silver Surfers. As a result of the progressive digitalization, the competent use of the internet turns to a key qualification for facilitation and enrichment of life. By means of a survey, this article tries to answer whether and in which complexity the silver surfer has the competence of handling the internet. Regarding the interview the persona approach, used in software development, is applied. General results of the survey are that the generation of over 50s offers a variety of different internet experiences and cannot be regarded as a homogeneous group.