Online stock trading is a fairly new trend sweeping the investing world. It might seem a bit new age to some, but the reality is this sensation has opened the doors for sound investing for a lot of people from all walks of life. So who is exactly taking advantage of online stock trading?

The answer to that question is a whole lot of people!

Since online stock trading makes it very easy for anyone to get involved in market investments, cutting costs and red tape, the trend is being used to its advantage by all sorts of people.

From big-time investors who want a little more control over their money in the markets to school-age children that want to learn about the market while investing their allowances, the online market has made it possible for virtually anyone with Internet access to get involved in buying and selling.

Typical investors in days gone by were typically businessmen and women or those with means by birth who could afford to buy in blocks and employ brokers to do the trading for them. Now, the online market has made it available to bypass big brokerage fees. This means that even the smallest of investors can get in early and earn big. With this in mind, some investors today include:

Retirees: Online investing is a great way for retirees to get into the market without having to pay extra fees. Those with Internet access at home can check their investments daily and make adjustments necessary.

Stay-at-home moms: Many women are taking advantage of the benefits of online stock trading to invest their family's spare money in stocks that could offer good returns. This is a great way for moms to get a bit of adult time while they research stocks and make determinations on when to buy and sell.

Couples: Many couples that couldn't afford to invest in the past are now working as teams to look at the different buys and make decisions together on how to invest their money.

Classes: The online stock trading revolution has made it possible for economics classes to literally show students hands on what happens in the market. What better way to learn the ups and downs of the market than hands on through a lesson that doesn't cost students or schools a ton of money in the process?

School children: Many youngsters are enlisting their parents help to invest allowances, yard mowing money and more. These Internet and stock market savvy kids have made headlines when their stocks have paid off.

Big-time investors: While many that take advantage of online stock trading don't have a lot to invest, some larger investors prefer this route, too. Since it offers a lot of hands-on control, it can be a great way for anyone from the pocket change investor to the billionaire to get into the market.

As online stock trading becomes more popular and more and more big firms get into the act the reality is those who get into online stock trading span every imaginable race, class and socioeconomic group. The online stock investor of today looks just like you! While this method doesn't take away the risks, it does open the doors for more people to get involved.