- 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.
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As stated by 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.”
