A VERY heartening piece of research from Lancaster University shows another side of the allegation that many older people shun the online world.

Far from not embracing it, at least to some extent, academic Dr Bran Knowles stated studies there showed pensioners aged 66 to 86 do use what they want to use, like emails and the internet.

Their reason for not shopping online may be different: they are worried about losing opportunities for social inter-action with people and about staff losing jobs if online shopping replaces shopping in local stores and town centres.

Thinking about it, this is not at all surprising. Older people generally have a strong sense of social responsibility. They recognise that local shops are very important to communities and are prepared to do something about it.

Far from their stance on technology being negative, their stance on humanity and supporting local communities is wonderfully positive.