Half of Russians Over 60 Don’t Use the Internet, FOM Survey Finds

Almost all young Russians use the internet, but starting at age 45, the percentage of internet users begins to decline. Among citizens over 60, only about half use the internet, according to a survey by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM).

The survey found that 51% of Russians over 60 do not use the internet. Only 41% of respondents in this age group said they had used the internet in the past 24 hours. Across all age groups, 21% of Russians reported not using the internet at all.

Internet Usage by Age Group

The survey showed that nearly all Russians aged 18 to 45 are active internet users. Among young people aged 18–30, only 1% said they never go online. In the 31–45 age group, this figure is 4%.

A noticeable drop in internet activity is seen among Russians aged 46–60, with about 20% of respondents in this group saying they do not use the internet.

When asked when they last accessed the internet, 99% of those under 30 said they had gone online in the past 24 hours. This number was 94% for those aged 31–45, and 73% for those aged 46–60.

New Tools to Bypass Internet Restrictions

At the end of May this year, Roskomsvoboda and the art group “Yav” released an updated version of the Censor Tracker plugin, which helps users bypass internet blocks. The new “parental control” feature uses artistic messages to counter propaganda. When users visit sites known for promoting only pro-government narratives, a screen from “Yav” appears, covering the entire propaganda resource.