The eSafety Commissioner is calling on people to help their older relatives and loved ones stay connected over the holiday period by providing them with more than just a device, but also the education needed to use it.
The Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant said only 30 per cent of older Australians with low digital literacy were able to make video calls.
“In a time when physical distancing is still an important way to keep each other safe, many people will be buying loved ones a new device for Christmas, or gifting them a hand-me-down device to help keep them connected during the festive season,” Ms Inman Grant said.
“However, older Australians don’t just need the device, they need to have the confidence and the right skills to get the most out of the gift they open on Christmas Day,” she said.
Ms Inman Grant said that as part of the Be Connected program, eSafety had easy-to-use, free resources that could help older Australians connect.
“Giving an older relative a device will start them off on a really empowering journey but it’s also critical to help them gain the skills to use the web safely,” she said.
She said eSafety’s Get Started app could help the family inspire their older relatives to get connected.
“From the moment an older relative unwraps a device, the Be Connected website has everything to take them safely from blank screen to video calling,” Ms Inman Grant said.
“They can start with our engaging online course, Get started with your device, and learn to set up their device, change settings and access programs and files.”
She said the Be Connected website was a free one-stop shop with more than 150 online learning modules and 350 learning activities to help older Australians make the most of the internet.
Ms Inman Grant said eSafety had recently launched a new Be Connected course on How to use Zoom, the go-to video calling app during the pandemic.
The eSafety Commission’s Be Connected website can be accessed at this PS News link.
