SYDNEY, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Australian state of Victoria announced on Tuesday that a digital literacy for seniors program had been rolled out to help seniors access free training through their local public library.
Training courses include one-to-one or small group sessions on both hardware and software topics, such as how to manage mobile phones, data and apps, and how to get the most out of laptops and tablets.
The program will also provide funding for the hiring and training of staff, upgrading library digital devices, and minor changes to library facilities.
According to the state government, Victorians over the age of 50 now make up more than 35 percent of public library users, with 17.2 percent aged over 70.
"Local libraries are a trusted source of information in the community -- what better place for our senior citizens to learn great new skills for the digital age," said the state's minister for local government Melissa Horne.
"This is about growing practical knowledge, building confidence and providing the opportunity for people to expand their social networks," the minister added.
The 2021 Australian Digital Inclusion Index report showed that while the national access score has increased from 69.4 in 2020 to 70 in 2021, people aged over 75, with a score of 53.5, are missing out on digital benefits and being left behind.
Meanwhile, the digital ability scores align closely with age, as young adults under 34 years old receive a score of 81.6, 17.2 points higher than the national average (64.4), and 54.4 points higher than that of Australians over 75 (27.2).
In a 2018 summary report of old Australians' digital behaviors, Australia's government agency the eSafety Commissioner Office said that among approximately 8 million people aged 50 years and over who participated in the national survey, about 26 percent of the target population perform online activities no more than once a month, while nearly 8 percent were digitally disengaged.
"There is a strong relationship between age and digital literacy levels: three-quarters of the digitally disengaged group were aged 70 years and over," the report wrote. ■