New internet training course for elderly people

A scheme, ‘.comm lehen digitali’, aimed at teaching elderly people how to navigate the internet has been launched by the Malt Communications Authority.

The scheme will be provided in 36 day centres around Malta and Gozo and will consist of four two-hour-long lessons on how to use the internet, email, search engines, social media, and Youtube.

“ICT offers great potential to support lifelong learning for everyone,” MCA representative Riderick Marmara said. “More importantly however, applying technology effectively can have a significantly positive impact on individuals suffering varying forms of disability from communication difficulties to mobility issues.”

He pointed out that ICT offers opportunities for communication through assistive technologies and social networking, and opens new avenues for increased independence through online shopping or online banking facilities. 

“ICT enables the engagement of socially isolated and vulnerable individuals before they are caught in a spiral of ill-health, depression and dependency,” Marmara said.

Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing Justyne Caruana said that this initiative forms part of the government’s Active Ageing Strategy for 2014-2020,

“Government day centres wererecently transformed into lifelong learning hubs with curricula covering various subjects including ICT which was also extended to residential home thus targeting the digital divide amongst older persons,” Caruana said.