Press release
Donate yours to the "GO ON, Give Someone their First Time Online" campaign
London, 3rd December 2010: There are at least 30 million PCs and laptops not being used in homes around the UK. That's according to new research (1) by Microsoft to support the GO ON: Give Someone Their First Time Online campaign (www.get-someone-online.com) which launches today in support of the Race Online challenge to get everyone online by 2012.
The research commissioned for the campaign, led by Microsoft Advertising in partnership with other UK organisations, finds 30 per cent of people have one PC or laptop at home they no longer use, whilst 15 per cent admit to having two. 9 per cent of people have a least three or more.
This is unsurprising given 16% of people store an old computer away and forget about it when they buy a new one. More worryingly, 7 per cent throw them away - which means no one else can benefit from their unused machine. It is also an environmentally unfriendly way to get rid of a PC, as well posing a high security risk to the owner if a machine gets into the wrong hands.
In the UK there are 9.2 million adults who are currently offline. The aim of the GO ON Give someone their First Time Online campaign is to help bring UK Digital Champion, Martha Lane Fox's vision for a Networked Nation to life by highlighting the real benefits and positive changes using the Internet can bring to people's lives and by encouraging people to make sure their old machines go to a good home.
To highlight the huge disadvantage that non-internet users experience, the research went on to explore how those already online would cope if the web was to suddenly disappear. Key findings were:
- 10 per cent would only be able to go about their normal life for an hour or less. 23 per cent would cope for just half a day (12 hours)
- 26 per cent would not be able to adjust, saying the internet has become core to who they are and what they do.
- 21 per cent would have to spend more time searching for bargains and deals in shops
- 13 per cent would lose touch with friends
- 10 per cent worry they would have to work longer hours to complete tasks
- 9 per cent would have to spend more money keeping themselves entertained
The internet has also been life changing for millions of people. In fact, 29 per cent have found a job, a romance searching 13 per cent have found their partner or spouse online and more than one in ten people (12 per cent) have found their dream home. Furthermore, 19 per cent have found their dream holiday and a lucky 5 per cent have won a significant amount of money through an online game or competition
Whether it's pledging to help a family member set up an email account, registering someone you care about for a free internet training course, donating your old PC or actually gifting someone a low cost web ready PC for Christmas, the aim of the ‘Go On Give Someone their First Time Online' campaign is to inspire regular Internet users to encourage people in their lives who are not online to give it a go. Making it as easy as possible for Internet users to do their bit, Age UK will be making their 475+ charity shops across the nation available as donation centres for old computers for the duration of the campaign.
Martha Lane Fox said, "The ‘Go On Give Someone Their First Time Online' campaign is a great opportunity for the millions of internet users in the UK to give the 9.2 million people a chance to enjoy the benefits that so many of us enjoy every day. If every connected person helped just one friend or family member to get online, the race would already be won. By working together we can accelerate progress towards building a more networked UK."
However, the research shows Brits are unaware there are still so many people that aren't using the internet. 69 per cent of people said they were unaware there were over 9 million people in the UK who had never used the internet. Indeed, 41 per cent of people now think internet access is a right rather than a privilege.
Nickie Smith, Marketing Director, Microsoft Advertising, said; "Working in the digital media industry it's very easy to forget that millions of people in the UK do live offline, and have no way of accessing the many benefits that the internet offers. With nearly one in ten (8%) people in the UK planning to buy a new PC or laptop this Christmas, there is a real opportunity for people to do some good by donating their old machines to help someone else."
Helena Herklots, Services Director at Age UK, said: "The Internet is a fantastic resource which can provide a range of benefits for people in later life, from enabling people to keep in contact with friends and family, to making savings online. Age UK believes that digital inclusion has a key role to play in battling social exclusion, which is why we are so delighted to be part of the campaign to help get people online."
From 1 December until 31 January 2011, any visitor to www.get-someone-online.com will also have access to an online shop offering a choice of computers perfect for first timers. The shop will offer low cost refurbished PCs from Europc and a range of entry level new PCs from Ebuyer and Zoostorm. Customers will also be offered a choice of affordable internet access services courtesy of Three, Plusnet and B1 Connect.
Notes to editors
(1) Research conducted online by One Poll, surveying over 2000 UK adults during 26th-28th November 2010. Data has been weighted to the UK adult population
About Race Online 2012
Full copies of Networked Nation are available to download at WWW.RACEONLINE2012.ORG/MANIFESTO
- The UK's Digital Champion is asking organisations of any size to get involved to ensure everyone can use the web. It's simple to sign up and only takes a few minutes to register and make a digital promise at www.raceonline2012.org
- On June 18th 2010 Martha Lane Fox was appointed by The Prime Minister as the UK Digital Champion with a remit to encourage as many people as possible to go online, and improving the convenience and efficiency of public services by driving online delivery. http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/latest-news/2010/06/martha-lane-fox-appointed-uk-digital-champion-52086
- Digital Inclusion Limited is government funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government (through the Community Development Foundation) but is an independent organisation
- UK online centres provide millions of people with access to technology and support in using it. They offer free or low cost access to the internet and email, deliver online courses and encourage people to progress onto further learning. For more information, please visit www.ukonlinecentres.com
How people can get involved
- Be an angel, gift a low-cost web-ready computer, maybe in time for Christmas or Ney Year, to someone you want to help get online. Choose a low-cost refurbished or new PC or laptop and then choose from 3 broadband options to get the PC web-ready.
- Give someone a tour of the internet - There's nothing better than a live demo, give someone a helping hand and personally show them how easy it is to use the internet. From learning how to share pictures with friends and family through to using the internet to shop and bank safely we've put together the perfect guide to help you get them started.
- Take someone to their local training centre - Training centres are scattered throughout the UK, anyone who needs a helping hand with getting online can come along or can take the course online with someone by their side. Lessons will cover e-mailing, web browsing, safety online and much more. Visit the website to find your nearest
- Donate your old computer - Visit your nearest Age UK store and drop off any computers that you don't use for recycling. These refurbished computers will either be donated to silver surfers or sold on at affordable prices to raise funds for Age UK digital inclusion projects
Website: www.get-someone-online.com
Facebook: First Time Online
About the First Time Online Partners
No one organisation can meet the challenge of getting 9.2 million people in the UK online by 2012, it involves collaboration and partnership between numerous partners. We've been fortunate to work with several partners who have all committed to help Microsoft and Race Online 2012 to get the UK online.
Three is a communications company focused on bringing the benefits of the Internet to mobile communications. To do this we have built the UK's biggest high-speed mobile broadband 3G network. Three has the largest market share of mobile broadband customers in the UK, and has been rated the best network for mobile broadband in the last two independent YouGov Dongletracker surveys. Three is proud to support the Race Online 2012 initiative.
Seven years ago, 3 Monkeys Communications was a one woman band in an attic. Today we are number 15 in the PR Week league of independent consultancies. Like most businesses today, the Internet and online services play a huge role in our success and we want to help the UK get online.
Age UK, the new force combining Help the Aged and Age Concern, is working with RaceOnline to help reduce the digital divide for older people. Age UK are acting as PC donation centres for the Give someone their First Time online campaign. They have over 500 participating stores across the UK. Location of stores can be found at www.get-someone-online.com Age UK works in partnership with Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI. For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.
B1 Connect is the UK's leading prepaid, no contract broadband provider making the Internet accessible and easy for everyone. We share Race Online's goal and our commitment is to provide great, friendly service to help people who have never been online. B1 Connect are offering first timers a pay as you go, no contract, no commitment, 3 month starter package for £79.99. If you like the service, pay £7.99 plus data usage for each future month you use.
Founder David Tickle is a skilled client side developer with 10 years' experience in interactive programming, working for creative agencies. David says "Race Online 2010 is an amazing opportunity to expand the reach of the Internet. I'm proud to help bring the power of this world changing technology to a bigger audience." David Tickle designed the campaign Facebook game.
ebuyer.com is the largest UK independent Internet only reseller of electronic goods. "We are an online company therefore for us, accessing the web is a basic necessity. For over 4 million adults however, getting online is a luxury they will never experience without help." ebuyer is offering a choice of affordable PCs including a netbook, notebook and desktop for online first timers for the GO ON Give Someone Their First Time online campaign.
Europc are proud to support the RaceOnline 2012 campaign by offering a range of affordable refurbished computers to help others get online and gain the advantages that so many of us take for granted Prices start from £119.00.
Kieon is one of the UK's leading digital media production agencies. Working with advertising and communications agencies, our end clients include banks, global blue chips, governments and international organisations. Access to information is key to ending inequality, which is why Kieon is committed to helping Race Online. Kieon produced the Give some their First Time online campaign microsite free of charge.
Microsoft Advertising provides advertisers and publishers with media, tools and services designed to drive deep and profitable engagement with their audiences. The Give Someone Their First Time Online campaign is a natural extension of Microsoft's 'Britain Works' initiative to encourage those online to easily help others get online. Microsoft Advertising led this project and donated millions of page impressions to this campaign across its network of online properties.
BT owned Plusnet are an award winning broadband service. "We're a good, honest broadband company from Yorkshire and are proud to be working with Race Online. "As the providers of the cheapest standalone broadband in the UK we're in a great position to help the UK get online."
Plusnet broadband offer: 12 months fixed line contract with 10GB usage, up to 20MB speeds, free easy set up wireless router and 24/7 support for £6.49 a month with the first 6 months discounted to £3.25 a month.
Seevue Digital is a London based video production company that produces digital video content for DVD, the web and new media platforms. "As a media company that relies heavily on technology and the Internet, we recognise both the social and economic benefits of an online nation. By partnering with RaceOnline, we aim to promote, inspire and encourage digital inclusion". Seevue donated their time and resources to produce the ‘Give someone their first time online' campaign films.
Shoothill enables companies to realise their full potential by unlocking the power of data. We specialise in all kinds of data visualisation from heat mapping using Bing Maps to rich, interactive user experiences using the latest Microsoft technologies. Shoothill produced the Bing Maps for the Give Someone Their First Time Online campaign free of charge.
VCCP isn't your typical Agency. We have a no nonsense approach to communication, with simplicity, collaboration and integration at the core. All aimed at making your brand shine brighter. We believe passionately that access to the internet is a right not a privilege, which is why we're proud to support Microsoft in this venture. VCCP developed the creative for the Give Someone their First Time online campaign free of charge.
UK online centres provides free/low cost access to computers and the internet. There are thousands of UK online centres across England using myguide to help people get online. We work together with Race Online 2012 partners to get more people in the UK online.
All Zoostorm systems are built on the idea of "Why Wait?" bringing you the latest high performance PC and Laptop components from the top manufacturers. "Having already taken part in the Governments Home Access Scheme, we feel taking part in RaceOnline is an important commitment for a UK based manufacturer." Zoostorm is offering a choice of affordable PCs including a netbook, notebook and desktop for online first timers for the GOON Give Someone their First Time online campaign.
