Internet Usage Continues To Spread

The percentage of people using the Internet continues to increase quarter in quarter. the figures from the ONS for Q1 2012 however suggest that 8.12m or 16.1% of adults have still never used the Internet but that is 1% down on Q4 2011 and 7% down on Q1 2011. As many as 42.16m or 83.7% of adults have now used the Internet at some time and that includes 86.1% of men and 81.3% of women. Over 3m non-users are from the over 75 age group (41.2% of non-users). Non-users are also from the disabled and lower income groups. Those most likely to have used the Internet include those earning over £500/week with nearly 99% and those over £1000/week at nearly 100%. The South East is the region with the biggest rate of users at 86.9%, then London with 86.5%. N.Ireland recorded the lowest percentage of Internet use with 75.1%. All regions have nevertheless shown an increase in Internet use over the year from Q1 2011 to Q1 2012.