- New program
will focus on bridging the digital divide experienced by older Aboriginal
people
- $50,000 funding to deliver education sessions for up to 600 people in
regional Western Australia
- Aims to address urgent need amongst
seniors for greater community education on scams and digital crime
A program that aims to improve
the digital literacy of older Aboriginal people, making them less susceptible
to scams and digital crime, has been funded by the Cook Government.
The program will teach older
Aboriginal people how to better use their own handheld device, such as mobile
phones, with a focus on how to access online government services, seek
information on elder abuse, increase scam awareness, find out what is happening
in their community and stay in touch with family and friends.
Two Aboriginal organisations −
Indigenous Professional Services and Jungarni-Jutiya Indigenous Corporation −
will share in $50,000 funding to deliver education sessions to up to 600 people.
The sessions will be provided
in Halls Creek and surrounding communities in the Kimberley and across the
South West in Bunbury, Collie and Busselton over the coming months.
The gap in digital literacy
amongst older Aboriginal people was highlighted during public consultation to
develop An Age-Friendly WA: State Seniors Strategy 2023-2022, which found an
urgent need amongst seniors for greater community education on scams and
digital crime.
The consultation noted that the
increasing digital divide was a barrier to seniors ageing well, as many
services had been migrated online. Many seniors experienced higher levels of
digital exclusion, particularly those who were from a multicultural background,
low socio-economic, Aboriginal and/or living with a disability.
For more information: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/wa-seniors-strategy
Comments attributed to Seniors and Ageing Minister Don
Punch:
"The digital divide
experienced by many seniors has been identified as a barrier to ageing well,
and in fact poses a real risk by leaving them more vulnerable to scams and digital
crime.
"We know Aboriginal seniors and
seniors from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, can experience
even higher levels of digital exclusion.
"This program
will facilitate digital literacy and provide
greater community education on scams and digital crime with clear information
on where to get help."
