This research report puts forward a suite of 12 recommendations to bridge the digital divide and enhance quality of life for older Australians.
ECCV carried out a thorough literature review of academic research and some ‘grey’ literature as deemed relevant.
Topics included digital exclusion for older people, particularly those from migrant and refugee backgrounds, and programs and solutions to address this.
Research was also carried out on Artificial Intelligence, which is a type of rapidly-expanding digital technology garnering widespread interest, as relevant to seniors in maintaining their health and wellbeing.
The strong relationship between age and digital literacy levels in Australia has been well established, with older people being particularly disadvantaged.
Australians over 75 years of age experience higher levels of digital exclusion and score well below average in relation ability, as well as access and affordability.
There has been rapid growth in the use of digital platforms by banks, governments, and essential services, and as the online world becomes more complex, many older people need extra support to use online services and resources.
Of particular concern, they are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation and scammers.
Barriers to digital inclusion for senior Victorians include: a lack of ability to use and keep up with technology, the cost of maintaining and updating systems, and the difficulty of finding someone to help improve technology skills.
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