what works to improve digital inclusion for seniors?

Based on the available evidence, several approaches show promise for improving digital inclusion for seniors:

Structured Digital Skills Training

Seniors Go Digital demonstrates a multi-country approach targeting disadvantaged seniors (60+) through digital-skills toolkits and "one-stop support centres" (delivered both online and in-house). The program supported active citizenship, e-governance, e-participation and personal development.

Senior's Learning in the Digital Society (SeLiD) emphasizes specialized ICT education tailored to seniors' needs, using classical teaching, group learning, peer learning, and practical instruction (including excursions to electronics retailers). This addresses documented anxieties seniors experience with digital communication, home equipment, and internet security.

Community-Based Access and Support

Gorbals Digital Inclusion achieved significant results: 5,000 of 8,000 target group members (60%) improved their ICT skills, with 85% having no ICT skills beforehand. This library-based learning centre combined ICT training with an employability hub and staff support.

Digital North provides equipment access (iPads, Androids, keyboards), certificated and non-certificated training, and free courses at community centres, including programs specifically for "Senior Computing."

Intergenerational Approaches

digiUP uses intergenerational dialogue through interactive groups for digital-competence learning among disadvantaged adults, training educators to deliver ICT learning sustainably.

Note: Most evidence is descriptive or self-reported. Gorbals Digital Inclusion provides the strongest quantified outcome data.