The number of smart device users in their 50s and 60s rapidly increased in 2012 from last year, data showed Thursday.

According to research by the Korea Communications Commission and the Korea Internet Security Agency conducted between July 1 and Sept. 15 on some 73,000 participants, the number of owners of smart devices in their 50s increased nearly fivefold in just one year, from 9.5 percent in 2011 to 46.8 percent in 2012.

Smart-device users in their 60s steeply increased over the same period as well, from 4.6 percent to 35.9 percent.

The numbers follow the trend of ownership rates of smartphones nationwide more than doubling from 31 percent in 2011 to 63.5 percent this year, according to the research data. The research concludes that the rapidly spreading smartphone culture has boosted Internet usage over most age brackets.

The increase in the number of smart-device owners in their 50s and 60s is particularly significant, as the devices allow them more frequent access to the Internet, a KCC official said. So far, the Internet usage rate in Korea has been concentrated in teens through 40s, he said.

The research reveals that the number of Internet users in their 50s reached 60.1 percent, showing a 2.7 percentage point increase compared to last year.

Internet users in their 60s increased by 2.6 percentage points to reach 38.5 percent. Those in their 70s also increased by 1 percentage point to reach 9.7 percent, the research results revealed.

The number of young children between 3 and 5 years of age who use Internet shot up as well, breaking the 1 million mark this year.

Overall, the nation’s average Internet usage per week increased by about one hour to 16.3 hours, from 15.4 hours last year.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)