Seniors online? Why not. This group can change the face of the Polish internet and the content published on it for the better, by sharing their experiences and knowledge gained over the years. This thesis was our starting point for reflection on the campaign under the slogan “Get Connected!”, as part of which we decided to launch a series of training sessions dedicated to seniors.
Young people often can't imagine life away from virtual reality, while their grandparents don't know, or barely know, the specifics of online life. The internet, which only appeared in Poland in the 1980s, holds many secrets for them. Yet, everyone can find something for themselves online – from educational programs for children to felting or cooking tutorials for grandmothers. What's more, by being online, everyone can contribute their bit to building the network as a rich source of information. Especially seniors – a treasure trove of knowledge and experience. That's why we're sending them a simple message: “Get Connected!”.
We started with the assumption that older people would not only be eager to learn how to navigate the virtual world but could also bring a lot of value to it.
Often, our grandmothers and grandfathers have knowledge that we ourselves would like to possess. How to prepare a good dough for pierogi? How to knit a sweater? What were the times of the war and the Polish People's Republic like? These are all things we often have no idea about, so we turn to the elders for advice. So why not learn about them online too?
In cooperation with the Wrocław Senior Center, we have started a series of training sessions dedicated to seniors. We have already had two meetings, during which we had the opportunity and pleasure to introduce our participants to the virtual world, tell them about the secrets of social media, and warn them about the ubiquitous fake news online. After all, only the ability to navigate the internet will allow seniors to enrich it. We've just started, but we hope that these meetings will allow us to create an intergenerational bond, and each side of the project will bring value to the other.
The training sessions are just the beginning of the “Get Connected!” campaign. You will soon hear about the attractions we have prepared for our trainees. Stay tuned!
PS The engagement of seniors during the training sessions exceeded our expectations! Their curiosity about the world and thirst for knowledge only motivate us to continue our efforts. 🙂
