Promoting digital literacy among older citizens

Digital literacy is a term often used to describe the ability to navigate the digital space using a wide array of technological tools. It encompasses basic skills set and the ability to access, understand, evaluate, interpret and communicate information meaningfully for decision-making and problem-solving. These skills are beneficial for use in our personal, academic and professional lives.Although the digital space and technology provide numerous opportunities and benefits such as employment; career advancement; independence from dependency; business; networking and partnerships; accessibility to health records and reports; the ease of conducting financial transactions; online study programmes; communication with family and friends regardless of their location; a sense of belonging to a digital community and cost savings of travelling to perform various tasks, it poses serious risks to the adult population.Recent local media reports have indicated a surge in the number of heavy financial losses suffered by the adult population, often falling victim to online fraudsters and telephone scams, which has led to hesitance, if not resistance, by the adult population to utilise and explore the digital space. This reluctance can also be attributed to barriers such as fear or lack of trust; health-related issues; visual limitations or hearing impairments; financial barriers and a lack of digital proficiency. This population’s vulnerability to attacks is further compounded by the difficulty in assessing the credibility of online information and the legitimacy of the caller at the end of the telephone line or cellular phone.The Namibia Population and Housing Census 2023 reports that the 35–59 age group accounts for 22.0% of the population, while elderly individuals aged 60 and above make up 6.8%, totalling 28.8%. However, significant efforts have been directed towards digital literacy for the youth, with little focus on senior citizens.This calls for safeguards and protocols to be put in place to increase confidence and trust and eliminate barriers that often impede the adult population from confidently utilising and enjoying the full benefits of the digital space in a safe and secure manner.Empower everyone Approaches that might empower and increase digital proficiency in adults are community-based literacy programmes in rural and urban areas; enabling peer-to-peer education and providing access to affordable technological devices and awareness campaigns that may dispel misconceptions regarding online safety.The digital space offers various platforms for information sharing and dissemination, nevertheless these are only effective communication vehicles when the target audience have access to such platforms.The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) is dedicated to consumer advocacy and empowering Namibian citizens through education, awareness efforts and collaboration with stakeholders. Thus, the barriers to digital literacy should not deter adult populations from participating in digital activities.The authority believes that a digitally proficient population gives rise to a knowledge-based society that will derive the full socio-economic benefits of ICTs, which is core to CRAN’s vision.*Ella-Betty Chapoto is a practitioner of consumer relations and advocacy at the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN).

Promoting digital literacy among older citizens

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-31

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Promoting digital literacy among older citizens

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-31

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