Why nine million people aren't online

Last week's Get Online campaign was a roaring success but work still needs to be done to get people online and close this digital divide.

Despite the internet increasingly being considered an essential utility, nearly 18 per cent of adults (more than nine million people) have never been online. Over a quarter of the country (27 per cent) does not have internet access at home.

These people were the focus of the Get Online initiative run last week by UK Online Centres. Events were held across the country at schools, libraries, by the Post Office and at other venues. Even the BBC got involved with its FirstClick computer and internet literacy campaign.

The hope was these events could help people who have never, or rarely, used the internet catch up with the rest of us.

There are various valid reasons people don't use the internet. Some people just don’t feel the need, know about the benefits or are put off by scare stories.

Others simply cannot afford either a computer or a broadband service. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that one-third of those earning less than £10,399 a year have never used the internet compared to only two per cent of those earning more than £41,000.

But the internet is not just about emails or downloading movies and music. There are benefits for the elderly and disabled. It can help people save money and make money as well as find work. Also many jobs require IT skills these days, even if this is at the most basic level.

And as more people are forced to rethink their careers in the current economic climate, having some knowledge of how to use the internet - and importantly know how to use it safely - is vital.

This is because along with the good things about the net, there are genuine dangers. There are traps, scams, frauds, and many other less desirable aspects that people need to be aware of. But none of these should put people off using the internet.

On the Computeractive website, people wanting to find out more or who wish to help others will find we also have a wealth of information they can use.

This ranges from features on how to save and make money, links to other websites, plus news and reviews that show the benefits of the internet. As you read about how to get the most from this technology, we also offer guidance on safety issues and problem solving.

We have reviews on products and software you may need or want, so you can get an idea if they are worth buying; before you spend your hard-earned money. We also carry news on what is happening in the internet world plus free applications and tools you can use.

You can read these online or print them off free from our website and hand them to people who don’t have access to the internet.

We have chosen a few links at random from reviews, news, features and products etc, in the body of this story and below. However, people can type their query into the search bar on Computeractive's website to bring up content more relevant to them or refine their search by section; such as reviews, step-by-step guides or forums.