New Free cyber safety training will empower older adults across Belfast

Age NI in partnership with Belfast District Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (DPCSPs) has developed a free cyber safety training workshop specifically aimed at empowering older adults across Belfast to improve their online safety.

Aimed at those over 50, the workshop will build confidence in the ability to use online technologies safely. The workshop covers topics such as the safe use of social media, identity protection and well as how to avoid online scams.

New research for Age UK has found that almost a fifth of over 50s in the UK, equivalent to 4.9 million people, fear answering their phones because of scams, while 2.9 million over 50’s fear opening their doors for the same reason.  Age UK warns that the repercussions of scams underscore the pressing need to safeguard older people now and in the future.

According to Action Fraud, there were 5,412 reports of fraud made to the Police Service of Northern Ireland between December 2022 and January 2024. The total losses reported in these crimes was approximately £23.1 million.

Technology is being used more frequently to stay in contact with family and friends, shopping, banking and other everyday activities. Whether you’re going online for the first time, or you’ve been using the internet for years, anyone can fall victim to a scam and knowing what to look out for will reduce your concerns and make a positive difference in your life.

Siobhan Casey, Director of Marketing & Business Development at Age NI said,

“This research and increasing number of fraud cases highlights the urgent need to scam prevention education and support among older people – especially for those living in vulnerable circumstances. 

The Cyber Safety sessions that Age NI has developed with and funded by Belfast DPCSPs will give older adults in Belfast the opportunity to build their confidence in navigating the internet and look at ways to avoid the many scams that can befall anyone in this day and age.”

Register for Age NI's Cyber Safety Training here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/northern-ireland/information-advice/work-learning/cyber-safety-training