Summary
A report from the Policy Exchange think tank has suggested that loneliness among the over-65s (and the co-morbidities understood to be associated with social isolation) could be reduced significantly by training older people in use of the internet, how to send emails and the basics of using social networking sites. Training the 6.2 million people currently estimated to lack basic digital skills could cost £875m by 2020, or roughly £141 per person. These costs would be offset, according to the report, by estimated savings of £1.7 billion per year.
Reference
Internet training would cut pensioner loneliness, says think tank. London: BBC News, May 27th 2014.
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And what would be the cost of buying them the equipment to do this, the broadband connections, and maintaining both over time?? The digital divide is about more than skills, it is also about personal financial resources in older age.