Free project to help Mackay seniors stay safe online

Bolton Clarke’s digital literacy team will deliver targeted training to help older people across the Mackay region engage and stay safe online under a new initiative funded through the Mackay Community Foundation.

The Lunchtime Technology Project will deliver six free digital literacy classes along with one-on-one sessions and ongoing support.

Topics covered will include scam detection and avoidance, secure passwords and password managers, safe online banking and shopping, using My Aged Care, understanding AI risks and opportunities, navigating useful apps and practical tips for smartphones and tablets.

Sessions will be held over a casual lunch and will also feature time for one-on-one support.

Digital Business Development Manager Joe Griffiths said with government and services increasingly driving clients to interact online, giving people the tools to engage safely was more important than ever.

More than 40 per cent 65–74-year-olds and almost 70 per cent of those aged 75+ were currently excluded or highly excluded from digital services, creating disadvantage when accessing government information including My Aged Care, Centrelink and health data.

“This initiative aims to help people engage confidently and safely online to reduce those barriers to accessing services,” Mr Griffiths said.

“It will also help people avoid scams.

“Australians over 65 have lost more than $21 million to email, online and text message scams in 2026 alone, and education is a critical to addressing that problem.”

Bolton Clarke is a national not-for-profit aged care provider supporting more than 250 people across the Mackay region through home and community support and in its two local retirement villages.

Seniors who would like to attend digital literacy sessions can contact Natalie Philp on 0437-191-302, email nphilp@boltonclarke.com.au. Free transport is available.