4 trusted websites to make you tech savvy
25 Jun 2019
We look at some of the best resources for getting better at using technology.
Seniors tend to lag behind when it comes to using the multitude of online resources, but there are ways you can learn about the new world of technology easily and safely. And if you are reading this article, chances are you have a basic grasp of things.
Australia’s digital divide is measured by the Digital Inclusion Index, which measured in 2018 that overall our digital inclusion is improving with the index rising 3.8 points to 56.5. But age continues to be a factor.
“People aged 65+ are Australia’s least digitally included age group (42.9, or 13.6 points below the national average),” the report says. “This ‘age gap’ has been steadily widening since 2015 (by approximately 0.5 points each year).”
It may seem weird to say you can learn about the internet on the internet, but all of the sites we have provided below are simple to use and should help you grow your skills, and some come with real-world help.
So let’s take a look at the best ways to learn online:
Run by Telstra, this online portal aims to help seniors get up-to-date with the digital world. The site gives older people instructional videos or allows them to register for a face-to-face training session to make sure they stay connected. The courses are also available in a range of languages.
This website is a government initiative to help everyone get online and get the most out of technology, but it is skewed to seniors who have lower rates of connectivity on the web.
They have a number of online resources to help improve computer skills and they also offer in-house training if you get stuck. This key feature allows you to search a local business or person that can help you at home with your technology issues, and they are a trusted source.
Courses cover everything from iPads to Android and computer basics.
Another trusted online source, GoDigi is backed by Australia Post and Infoxchange to help get online the nearly four million people in Australia who are not connected.
There is an online platform to help you improve your skills, but there is also an extensive real world network of libraries and businesses who will help you with any technological issues.
There is also an online mentoring program where people who use the net every day become mentors to Australians who are not as good with their tech.
This initiative bills itself as “young people who are just like your grandkids but with more time and patience” and will send people out to your home to help you with a variety of tech issues. They can help you use social media, create documents or make videos for your family.
With a bit of help, technology need not be scary at all.
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