The average silver surfer is now 100 per cent computer savvy – and spends 26 hours a week online.
Emailing, internet banking and shopping means the over 50s spend around 1,369 hours – or 57 days – a year logged on to the worldwide web.
A new study found more than half said the internet had made their lives easier while a similar percentage said it helped them stay in touch with children and grandchildren.
The findings emerged in a survey run by leading content networking site Dadooda.com.
Neil Stapley, founder of Dadooda.com, said: ”Surfing the web has positive implications for the over-50s health. Our results stand in stark contrast to those of the average 21 year-old who is becoming increasingly depressed by over-using the web.
More than 2,000 over-50s from all over Britain were quizzed about their online habits. And the results show that over-50s are avid internet-users who enjoy the time they spend online.
The survey also found nearly six in ten found using the web helped keep their minds active and two thirds said daily chores like shopping and banking online give them more time to relax.
More than half of respondents (57 per cent) said being able to stay in email contact with loved ones had a positive impact on their lives.
Almost half (49 per cent) use auction sites and more than a third (36 per cent) use the internet to book tickets.