Internet users in Malta aged over 65 are the third most active social network participants in the EU.

A little less than half – 43 per cent – of such users were recorded as resorting to the social media, according to figures published by Eurostat to mark the International Day of Older Persons, which will be celebrated tomorrow.

Those aged between 65 and 74 spent most of their time online sending and receiving e-mails as well as searching for information on goods and services. Reading news stories takes up the rest of their time on the internet.

The least common activity among Malta’s elderly users was online shopping. Only 36 per cent of them made use of the internet to purchase goods.

“This is very good news and it seems that older people are enjoying being able to communicate and feel connected with the rest of the world, mostly from the comfort of their own homes,” Joseph Woods, who had pioneered the first IT policies, said.

As the number of internet users over the age of 65 grows, Mr Woods said it could now be the ideal time to start looking into the development of applications as means of improving the lifestyles of the elderly.

Thirty senior citizens were last week awarded certificates after participating in a digital media course, part of a pilot project aimed at equipping the elderly with digital skills.