Website of the UK government

The value of the internet

Roughly 30 million people in the UK use the internet everyday. More than half of all leisure travel is now booked online, 90 per cent of all new jobs require basic internet skills, while seven million jobs were posted online last year. 

However, more than ten million adults in the UK have never used the internet, and are missing out on the benefits, opportunities and savings it can provide. 

The problem is worse for those already at a disadvantage - so if you’re older, disabled, or on a low income, you’re far more likely to be off-line. 

The aim of Get online week is to help all those people who have never used the internet to get online.

Get online week

Find an event

Call 0800 77 1234 to find your nearest Get online week event

Get online week runs this week until Sunday 24 October.

During this time, around 3,000 free events are being held across the country at UK online centres, libraries and community centres.

By going along to one of these free events you can gain the skills and confidence you need to get started with computers and the internet.

Using the free and easy myguide computer and internet courses, you can learn the basics at your own pace without paying a penny.

Staff will be on hand to help you get started, and there’ll be lots of other people there just like you - so you don’t have to go it alone. 

To find your nearest Get online week event, call 0800 77 1234.

To use the free and easy myguide computer and internet courses, follow the link below.

• myguide Opens new window

Pass IT on

If you don't want to go along to a Get online week event, another easy way to help someone get started with computers is through the Pass IT on scheme. Pass IT on provides a range of free resources to help you get someone online.

The first step is to inspire someone to try the internet by showing them something relevant to their lives.

You then need to find a computer for them to work at. This could be your own computer, a computer at a local library, or you could visit a UK Online Centre.

Once you have them sitting in front of a computer, start with the five Online basics courses. These are a set of free, easy to use courses that can help anyone get started using computers and the internet.

PASS IT on

Free 'Online basics' resources to help you get someone online

• Online basics Opens new window

The five free courses are:

• starting with a keyboard - get to grips with the keyboard and its special keys
  
• starting with a mouse - a step-by-step guide to using a mouse with confidence
  
• using email - learn to send, receive and manage emails successfully
  
• using the internet safely- stay safe and secure online no matter what you're doing
  
• using online searches - search the web to find sites that save you time and money! 
  

• Pass IT on: help friends and family get started online Opens new window

More on Directgov

• Helping someone get started online (home and community section)

• How to get internet access (home and community section)

• Making a computer easier to use (home and community section)

• Be secure online (home and community section)

• How to avoid online fraud (home and community section)