European Internet users ages 55 and older have taken to broadband, with 68% using a high-speed connection at their primary point of access, according to the "Silver Surfers Report" from the European Interactive Advertising Association (EIAA).



Broadband adoption by seniors is growing 26% annually, compared with 14% for the average European Internet user.

Seniors spend an average of 8.8 hours online per week, and 83% of this older demographic regularly e-mails and searches online.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) shopped online, buying an average of seven items and spending Eur830 ($1045.80) in a six-month period, which was Eur80 ($100.80) more than the average European online shopper.

Six in 10 Europeans ages 55 and older visited travel sites, and 55% visited holiday sites.

The EIAA questioned users in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Nordic countries, Belgium and the Netherlands in September 2006.