Call to teach Aussie seniors more about cyber security
A LOBBY group for senior Australians has called for urgent action to address the concerns older people have about internet security.
Representatives from Seniors Australia will tell a parliamentary committee investigating cyber security for the elderly what needs to be done to encourage older Australians to get online.
Seniors Australia represents more than a quarter of a million Australians over the age of 50, including pensioners, self-funded retirees and others.
The group published a report in September revealing 64% of older Australians were concerned about cyber security, while 74% were confused about the technology and 56% were unsure of what the internet actually does.
Among the group's recommendations for "urgent action" were promotion strategies to raise older non-users' awareness of the internet and to satisfy their security concerns.
It has also recommended a national action plan to focus on improving internet use and access for older Australians.
The group will also call on the government to create low-cost training courses and material to help older generations learn the skills needed to use the internet safely.
For nearly a year, a Joint Parliamentary Committee has been investigating what can be done to improve cyber-safety for older Australians, with Seniors Australia to front a committee hearing on Wednesday.
