The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety) and the Department of Social Services (DSS) have been awarded the Excellence in Multi-Agency Partnership Award at the 2020 Digital Summit Awards today for the Be Connected program, which helps older Australians connect online.
Be Connected is a joint initiative between DSS, as the lead agency, and eSafety. DSS, in its vital oversight role, has ensured partnership coordination of over 3,000 community partners, managed by Good Things Foundation, and been responsible for the successful Be Connected community grants program.
eSafety designed, implemented and delivered integrated online safety resources and the Be Connected website, a high-quality learning portal. The expertise of eSafety in these areas has ensured quality outcomes for people aged over 50. The Be Connected website is a one-stop shop with more than 150 online learning modules and 350 learning activities - and it’s all free.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the program has had a major impact in helping older Australians safely make the most of all the web has to offer.
“Be Connected has empowered over 820,000 learners - so far - and recorded a 93% satisfaction rate,” she said.
“Especially during the pandemic, we’ve seen how critical it is for older Australians to be online. Courses, particularly on making video calls, have been especially popular this year.”
Research shows that older Australians are seeking more online skills and knowledge and
Be Connected has responded to that need with the Be Connected website receiving nearly 7 million page views so far.
Background information:
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner promotes online safety education for Australian young people, educators and parents. It also provides a complaints mechanism for young people who experience serious cyberbullying, and for Australians to report illegal or offensive online content.