Tag: Change

Online Inclusivity for Senior Citizens and Disabled Adults

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Source: Pixabay

The main objective of this section is to challenge the belief of the internet as a ‘great-equaliser’. However, when used correctly, it can provide opportunities for people of all ages, allowing access to information, social connections, and important services. For senior citizens, the digital landscape can feel threatening and overwhelming. They might fall for online scams, phishing and other online threats. That’s why it is essential to teach them to navigate the online world safely.

The AbilityNet webinar on “Empowering Seniors: 5 Essential Tips for Online Safety and Support” hosted by Annie Manion with guest speaker Lucy Walsh took place on October 17. The aim of the event was to offer an opportunity for people and caregivers to learn more about improving the digital literacy of seniors to keep them safe in the digital age. It also brought attention to the intersection between age and disability, as, according to the data presented, 42% of seniors in the UK have some disability. The event focused on providing practical guidance and resources for seniors to make the most of the internet while protecting themselves from common online scams and other threats.

So which tips did the webinar offer?

Accessing Support Services and Resources

Lucy Walsh shared helpful tips on how seniors can use the internet to find important services and support. From looking up healthcare info and applying for benefits to joining online support groups, the internet has a lot to offer. AbilityNet introduced several user-friendly websites and apps that can help with everything from managing money to finding mental health support.

Thanks to these online resources, seniors can live more independently and access new, important services harder to reach before. The webinar also showed how easy it can be to download apps that are safe and accessible. For example, Seeing AI is an app that narrates the world around you, while Be My Eyes connects blind and low-vision people with volunteers who can help them see things in real time.

Making text bigger, adding captions to videos and using voice commands (with Siri, Google, or Alexa) are also features that can make interactions with technology more accessible for people who are visually impaired or struggle to use their phones with their fingers, for example. These  can make a big difference in their everyday lives.

Tips to Stay Safe Online

One of the biggest threats to seniors online is scams. Phishing attempts, fraudulent emails and suspicious pop-up ads are on the rise, so it’s very important that seniors learn how to identify red flags. During the webinar, they played Moira Stuart tips video, where she suggests setting up a group chat with family and friends, downloading trusted news apps, and reaching out to loved ones or trusted organisations when something feels off.

According to Lucy, it is also important to be careful with phone calls, SMS, WhatsApp messages or emails asking for personal or financial details, especially if they make urgent requests or offer deals that seem too good to be true. Further advice included keeping antivirus software up to date, avoiding suspicious links, and using tools like “Have I Been Pwned” to make sure personal information hasn’t been exposed in data breaches.

The need to protect privacy online by being careful about sharing personal information on social media was another important topic brought up. Contrary to popular belief, most information theft happens when people share their personal information (phone number, financial details) through fraudulent links. The webinar also emphasised the importance of online security for seniors, covering everything from creating strong and unique –but memorable– passwords to using two-factor authentication (2FA). Lucy recommended using Dashlane, a password manager app that helps to create, store, and manage passwords securely, along with saving payment details in an encrypted way.

Staying Connected and Entertained Online

While online safety is essential, the webinar also emphasised how the internet can help seniors combat social isolation by staying in touch with family, friends and communities. Social media, instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, video calls, and online gaming were all mentioned as great ways to build relationships.

Practical tips for using popular platforms like Zoom, Skype and WhatsApp were also provided. Such platforms make it easier for seniors to connect virtually. The session also covered how to access online entertainment like BBC, YouTube, and subscription TV services, showing how the internet can enhance social engagement and overall well-being.

The importance of education and patience 

In today’s digital world, it’s important for seniors to know how to navigate the internet safely. The AbilityNet webinar shared simple tips to help seniors stay safe online and make the most of what the internet offers. However, AbilityNet also offers free digital skills courses to people over 65 and adults with disabilities all over Britain. If you know someone who might benefit from such courses, do not hesitate to search for similar trainings in your area.

Although family members and caregivers are a good source of support, they might not always know how to approach a senior’s needs. Forgetfulness or a slow learning pace might make some lose their patience. For this reason, Lucy says it is important to stick to teaching what the person needs and wants, through consistent repetition and one step at a time. 

You can visit AbilityNet’s website for more helpful info on digital accessibility and assistance.

Hello and Welcome! 🎶✨

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I’m Ana, one of the five voices behind this blog, and I’m thrilled to be here! I’m a Communication for Development student at Malmö University with a passion for exploring how music can be a powerful tool for change. I’ll be diving into the vibrant world of protest music, exploring how it acts as a megaphone for social movements—especially in the digital age.

In my section of the blog, we’ll delve into the role of music in activism, considering its impact across different communities and issues. Together, we’ll explore how music not only reflects social movements but also shapes them, fueling development and sparking social change.

Here’s a fun fact to get us started: Did you know that the famous protest song “Give Peace a Chance” by John Lennon was recorded in a hotel room? Lennon and Yoko Ono invited friends, reporters, and peace supporters to join them in their “Bed-In for Peace,” turning the recording session into an accessible protest for all (Schinder, 2007). 🎤✌️

Stay tuned for my posts, where we’ll journey through everything from historical anthems to today’s digital protest playlists. And don’t be shy—I’d love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, and favorite protest songs, so feel free to drop a comment and join the conversation!

Let’s tune in for change together! 🎧✨

 

Reference

Schinder, S. (2007). The encyclopedia of recorded sound. Routledge.

Welcome to IDA

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#BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, and #ClimateStrike are a few examples of global and well-known movements from recent years – and they all gain their power from the digital world. These examples reached massive popularity. In the year 2020 hashtag #BlackLivesMatter was used roughly 47.8 million times on Twitter only in a few weeks. The movement was activated after the death of George Floyd. Fridays for Future and the #ClimateStrike movement went viral in 2018 as students and activists worldwide organized online to protest government inaction on climate change. Digital activism played a crucial role in coordinating climate strikes in hundreds of cities.

These are some well-known success stories of digital activism, but not the whole picture. Digital activism can also be local, unsuccessful, artistic, or even fake. IDA – Inside Digital Activism -blog dives into the digital world and takes a close look at different phenomena of digital activism.

Digital activism might look like an easy and cheap way of mobilizing people and pushing social change, all you need is a group of people with mobile phones. NGOs, political parties, and activists are all searching for the killer hashtag that would be the next viral hit and reach the audience they want. Even if you’re not targeting a global audience, activism in a digitalized world cannot exist without a digital dimension.

We, the writers of the blog, are Ana, Noora, Percy, and Tábata, a group of Communication for Development master’s students passionate about exploring how communication can drive positive change in the world. Through this blog, we aim to share our insights, experiences, and reflections as we dive into the complexities of development communication. Whether you’re a fellow student, a development professional, or just curious about the field, we hope you’ll find our posts thought-provoking and inspiring.

This blog will look into the limitations and risks of digital activism such as inequality in online activism and the rise of fake content in digital channels. Tábata will investigate disparities in access to technology, participation in digital activism, and the inclusion and exclusion within online movements, examining how activists are addressing these challenges.

IDA-blog will also take a closer look at different formats of digital activism. Percy is going to explore how digital activism meets creativity – ‘Digital Artivism’? How do artists measure the impact of digital formats and available data collection tools? What are the recent projects and discussions of the challenges that artists face? Ana will dive into the world of protest music – and music with political messages. Music has long traditions as a tool in social movements – what is its role in the digital era? Many movements and protests live both in real and digital life. Noora will explore how real-life protests, street demonstrations and occupations are connected to digital activism.

Stay tuned for the following posts! It would be great if you would drop a comment or question: what is the phenomenon that we should explore or a theory that you would like to know more about?