The Internet is clearly not only for the young. Herewith some statistics that show an increase not only in the use of the Internet among older users, but interestingly an increase in those joining social networks as well.

From canada.com - Youths rule Internet, but elderly making gains: study (Jan 2009)

• Since 2005, the population segment that has made the largest online gains in the United States is the 70- to 75-year-old age group, the Washington-based Pew Research Center said.
• While just over one-fourth (26 per cent) of 70-75 year olds were online in 2005, 45 per cent of that age group is currently online.
• 83 per cent of those 40-44, and 62 per cent of those 60-64 are online in the States.
• Of older Baby Boomers (55-63 years old), only 21 per cent download music and 25 per cent read blogs.
• Of Generation Xers (33-44 years old), 82 per cent seek out health information online, about the same rate as those 73 and older.

From Marketing Vox - Older Users Help Facebook Grow 149% in February (Feb 2009)

• Visitors who are age 35+ have increased 23% to Facebook in February 2009 compared with February 2008, while visitors from that age group to MySpace have declined 2%.

From Nielsen Wire - Social Networking’s New Global Footprint (March 2009)

• Facebook's greatest growth has come from people aged 35-49 years of age (+24.1 million).
• From December 2007 through December 2008, Facebook added almost twice as many 50-64 year old visitors (+13.6 million) than it has added under 18 year old visitors (+7.3 million).

From Be Visible - 10 Facts You Should Know About Online Generations (Feb 2009)

• Generation X is the most likely group to bank, shop and look for health information online.
• Generation X internet users account for 67% of online banking and 80% of buying products online.
• Older Generations (Younger Boomers, Older Boomers, Silent Generation and G.I. Generation) use the Internet less for socializing and entertainment and more as a tool for information searches, emailing, and buying products.
• Email remains the most popular online activity, especially with the older demographics.
• 74% of internet users age 64 and older send and receive email, making email the most popular online activity for this age group.