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My daily routine consists of waking up to an alarm blaring from my cellphone, checking social networks, and texting friends and family continuously. Similar to most 21 year olds, I cannot recall a day without a device in my hand. This is not the case for my grandmother. She has never touched a computer, and doesn’t see the need to start now. She is unaware that using the Internet would allow her to easily connect with her family in Ireland and she could shop online instead of waiting for someone to accompany her to the store.
Debra Berlyn, the presenter of the webinar, “Help Seniors Use the Internet Safely” had insight that would benefit ages 65 and up. For instance, only 53 percent of seniors use the Internet, and only 39 percent of all seniors have broadband at home. Since so few use private computers, learning how to maintain privacy through things like secure passwords and identifying e-mail scams is vital. Ms. Berlyn also outlined how the Internet could be especially helpful to seniors by keeping them connected, allowing them to maintain a healthy lifestyle without leaving the house as often, giving them ways to monitor their health, and more.
Some tips that I found to be important:
- Check carefully for “look alike” email addresses to avoid scammers
- Learn how to tell if a site is secure. This will allow you to determine if you should provide your credit card information
- Understand how websites use visitor information because what goes online, stays online
This webinar gave me the courage to initiate a conversation with my grandmother about the importance of the internet and how to use it safely. For those of you who know a senior who is curious but hesitant, the tips in this webinar could give them the push that they need to change.
If you were unable to attend this event and have a family member or friend who is 65 and older and has concerns about the internet, then you should tune in to the Live Meeting replay. Our Internet Safety webinar for parents, Help Your Children Stay Safe on the Internet, is online until Aug. 13.
To view vital speeches given by our authors, visit our speeches page.
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Kathy Brown
S.V.P., Public Policy Development and Corporate Responsibility
Kathy leads Verizon's global corporate responsibility initiatives and policy development. She also oversees the Verizon Foundation.
James Gowen
Chief Sustainability Officer/
V.P. of Services Operations
James oversees Verizon’s supply chain, vehicle fleet, investment recovery, purchasing and materials management and sustainability initiatives.
Rose Kirk
President, Verizon Foundation
Rose leads Verizon's philanthropic strategy with an emphasis on projects that demonstrate the use of Verizon's technology in addressing social issues such as education, domestic violence prevention and online safety. The Verizon Foundation is one of the 15 largest corporate foundations in America.
Jack McArtney
Director of Corporate and Community Responsibility
Jack promotes digital wellness and online safety. He works with parents, educators, service providers, application developers and industry leaders to foster responsible use of Verizon's mobile and broadband networks.
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