TV legend Johnny Ball urges older generations to ‘reclaim the day’ as research shows the most basic online tasks are consuming too much of their time

New research shows nearly half of over 65s struggle to complete digital admin without help

• Research shows over 65s who struggle online spend 25% more time completing digital admin than those with more tech confidence – including tasks like booking GP appointments or train tickets
• Those lacking confidence spend 50% more time booking a GP appointment – and nearly one in eight give up because they find the process too complicated
• Former BBC presenter Johnny Ball has urged less tech savvy pensioners to get online and improve their digital skills, admitting it used to take him “days” to do online tasks that should take minutes
• Johnny has teamed up with BT Group, which alongside UK charity AbilityNet, is encouraging those struggling with digital tasks to reclaim the day with free training to give older people more skills and confidence online.

Legendary BBC broadcaster Johnny Ball, who made maths fun for millions and shaped the UK’s love of learning, is today urging less tech savvy older people to reclaim the day by cutting the time they spend struggling with online tasks.

Ball has joined forces with BT Group and UK charity AbilityNet to support older people who are being left behind when it comes to completing basic online tasks. This comes as new research shows nearly half of over 65s struggle to complete digital admin without help – including booking GP appointments or train tickets, ordering repeat prescriptions or online banking. Almost a quarter are abandoning essential online tasks completely because they find the process too complicated or time-consuming.

Older people who do not feel confident online spend 25% more time than other age groups completing basic online tasks over the course of a year.

This includes 50% more time spent booking a single GP appointment – with nearly one in eight giving up on booking because they find it too difficult or time-consuming.

BT Group and AbilityNet are offering free in-person digital skills sessions for over 65s and disabled adults, helping them to build their confidence and independence online. After benefiting from BT and AbilityNet’s free training himself, TV legend Johnny Ball is now urging more of his generation to do the same.

Johnny, hosted groundbreaking educational children’s shows spanning several decades from the 1960s to the 1990s – from BBC’s Play School, Think of a Number and Knowhow to ITV’s Johnny Ball Reveals All.  The 87-year-old father of BBC Radio 2 star Zoe Ball and grandfather to DJ Woody Cook–has revealed his own tech struggles as part of his work with BT.

He said: “I spent the best part of 50 years helping people’s children understand science and maths in a fun, engaging way, but now it’s the turn of today’s parents I hope to influence in learning about technology, in order to make their everyday lives easier.

“For some, basic skills like booking a GP appointment or paying for your parking, using modern technology can seem daunting. I also feel that at times. It used to take me days to do basic online tasks that should take minutes.

“I still need help to do some things. For example, for sending WhatsApp messages and other social media - I often learn from my wife Di or daughter Zoe.

“But the more skills you have the more confidence you feel, so that with practice you’ll find you will be able to reclaim much of the time you took grappling with an app or a website.

“Take it from me, digital tasks are easier than you think. So, like me, you will feel a huge sense of achievement and joy when you  get to the point of doing something new, comfortably.”

The research from BT Group also shows how fears around digital safety are holding many older people back. A third of over-65s say worries about scams make them reluctant to carry out essential tasks online. Almost a quarter have difficulty trusting what they read online.

Others are held back by practical issues – such as a lack of confidence using the cloud (35%), connecting to WiFi (23%) and being able to set up a new device (20%).

Kamla Parmar, 76, told how the several AbilityNet training sessions she attended have transformed her confidence online.

She said: “Prior to my sessions with AbilityNet I didn’t do online banking as I didn’t have the trust or confidence to do it. I felt too old for the technology we have nowadays and that it was beyond me. I’d get flustered trying to move between different tabs and screens. But now it’s easy for me and the things that seem difficult are actually a lot simpler than you imagine them to be.”

Kamla isn’t alone, as analysis by Age UK* has found around 4.7million people aged 65 and over in the UK lack the basic skills to use the internet.

Four in 10 say their lives would be easier with better digital knowledge, while 43% plan to take part in a digital training course to improve their confidence online.

BT Group’s partnership with AbilityNet has now supported 13,000 people, with 5,000 benefitting from the courses this year alone.

Alongside its digital skills courses, AbilityNet is launching a free ‘how to stay safer online’ webinar on January 28, 2026.

BT Group’s Responsible Business Director, Richard Marsh, said: “Johnny Ball has opened the world of maths and science to millions of children. It’s a privilege to work alongside him and to help empower those in his generation who are eager to embrace new skills.

“Our research shows that older people who lack confidence online are losing hours grappling with new technology. By enrolling in one of our free courses with AbilityNet, they can learn these simple skills, reclaim their time and not feel so left behind.”

To find out more about BT Group and AbilityNet’s free digital skills support head to https://abilitynet.org.uk/BTDigitalSkills

NOTES FOR EDITORS

*BT Group Research carried out by Opinium Research, 25^th November to 2^nd December among 1,000 UK adults aged 65+

**Age UK's report "Offline and Overlooked" - March 2024

About AbilityNet

UK charity AbilityNet has more than 25 years of experience of empowering disabled people through technology at home, at work and in education. In its mission to create a “digital world accessible to all,” it works with individuals, charities, and community groups to champion inclusive digital design, and its experienced consultants enable the private and public sectors to deliver accessible websites, services, and apps. The Charity’s Patron is Baroness Martha Lane-Fox. www.abilitynet.org.uk 

AbilityNet offers free IT support at home and online to older people and disabled people via its nationwide network of 500+ AbilityNet Tech Volunteers. To access the free service, call the helpline on 0300 180 0028 during UK office hours, email to enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk or visit: www.abilitynet.org.uk/at-home