The eSafety Commissioner’s Be Connected initiative has created significant value for older Australians, according to a social impact report.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said that according to research by NSW’s Swinburne University of Technology, the program which helps older Australians connect safely online, has reached more than double the expected number of people and provided benefits for the wider community since its establishment in 2017.
Ms Inman Grant said the report found the Be Connected Program, funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS) and delivered by eSafety and Good Things Foundation, created a social return on investment of $4.01 for every $1 spent.
“This includes enabling digital mentors in 3,500 community partners to deliver digital skills support, increasing the online confidence and skills of people aged over 50, helping seniors avoid scams, engaging volunteers and increasing the overall health and wellbeing of older Australians,” Ms Inman Grant said.
“While it was originally envisaged to reach 300,000 older Australians, over 580,000 people have been reached through the initiative between 2016 (as Broadband for Seniors) and February 2020,” she said.
“Since then, the total number of people engaged has risen to over 880,000.”
Ms Inman Grant said the findings confirmed that older Australians wanted resources to help them do more, confidently and safely, online and were using the Program in significant numbers.
Further information on the Be Connected program can be accessed at this PS News link.
