International Older Person’s Day & Safety Online for the Elderly
Today is a wonderful day dedicated to highlighting the importance and the value of the contribution that the elderly in our community have made in their time.
How the elderly are viewed and treated varies drastically across the globe. In some countries, older people are valued and respected, their knowledge and experience are seen as a gift and is cherished. Whereas in others, sadly they are seen as a burden and no longer functional and disposable. Therefore, many actually fear aging because they are worried about the stigma that surrounds the world ‘’elderly’’.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
The pandemic saw an increase of elderly join the digital space. Whether you were trying to Skype or face time your grandparents, show them how to shop online or even explain how to access the news. The vast majority of the elderly in our community went online.
Now that we are starting to see an ease in the COVID-19 restrictions and use Skype and online communications less, our older loved ones are still online trying to connect and keep up to date.
This in itself is harmless but there are many scams and fraudsters out there that they may not be aware of. This is why the theme this year for international older persons day is all about online equality.
Digital Equity for All Ages
This year the theme for international older persons day is digital equality for all ages. From a study carried out last year by the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) found that women and older people experience digital inequality to a great extent than other groups in society.
The speed at how technology advances can be difficult to keep up with, especially when you join the game later than others. The fact is that the elderly in our communities either lack the access to technologies or are often not benefitting fully from the numerous opportunities provided by technological progresses.
Unfortunately, as technology advances, so too do the risks. For example, cybercrimes and misinformation threaten the human rights, privacy, and security of older people.
What Can You Do To Help Them Feel Safer Online:
Trying to keep your Nan, safe online can be difficult unless you live in the same house. We can’t be there 23/7 to keep an eye until they are fully aware and comfortable online.
With that in mind, we have come up with a few safe tips to share with your elderly loved ones about being online. Please do feel free to share with them the list below:
Protection Against Fraud & Scams
The number of reports of online fraud and scams with the elderly has almost doubled in the last 3 years.
It is important to share with your elderly loved ones to be wary when opening emails from sender they do not recognize especially when the email is asking them to take an action such as downloading, sharing their personal info, or clicking something within in it.
Let them know that if they are ever unsure, to check with you, another family member or a friend.
Create Strong Usernames & Passwords
We can all be guilty of this, no matter what our age. Many people use the same password and username on their online profiles and systems, it’s easier right?
While it may be easier for you, it’s also easier for scammers to access your information so this is a tip for everyone.
Create strong and unique passwords that would be difficult for others to guess. The days of using birthdays and anniversaries are out. This information is too easily found online.
Think of something unique and mix it up. Use uppercase and lowercase letters, add a number or two and don’t forget about a special character. When we say a special character we mean the like of these (* or ! or ? or %) something that is out of the ordinary.
Remember, never to share your passwords with anyone and if you have trouble remembering and want to write them down somewhere, keep this note to yourself and in a safe place.
Keep Your Devices Safe
Out of date devices such as laptops, computers, phones and tablets are more vulnerable to hacks and viruses. The best way to combat this is to keep your device software up to date. Don’t worry your device will let you know when it needs updating and how to do it.
Another way you can keep safe is by installing anti-virus software. This is something that you would need to pay for and there are a number of stores with customer representatives who are there to help you decide and pick what is best for you.
If you even bring your device into the store, they can install it for you.
Keeping Safe On Social Media
A report from the Telegraph is showing that almost half of those aged between 65-74 now have social media profiles on channels such as
While these sites are a fantastic way of:
- Staying in touch with friends and family
- Current affairs
- Happenings in the local area
But they can also be a breading ground for fraudsters and scammers.
It’s important to let your older loved ones know that what ever is shared on social media has the potential to be seen by anyone. They should always avoid sharing personal details such as their address, phone number and other sensitive information.
Why not share with them how to change their settings on these channels to private to best help them keep safe online.
Shopping Online
Shopping online can be great fun, you don’t even need to change out of your slippers to do it and then there is the excitement of waiting for your delivery.
Here at Uccello Designs, we ensure that your experience on our site is easy to use, friendly and always safe. With other websites you will always need to make sure and here are a few key factors to look out for:
- Look for the padlock symbol in the link/url bar up top
- Make sure that the link starts with this ‘’https’’
- Read online reviews before purchasing, this will give you a good indication about the reputation of the website
If you have any doubts about the website, just leave the website by clicking the red x on the top right-hand corner.
Fancy a cuppa while you browse online? The Uccello Kettle will help make life that little bit easier in the kitchen.
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