Connectivity has never been more important than in this last year, when the pandemic separated people from their friends and families for an extended period of time. With the older population being so much more vulnerable to COVID-19, they are likely to spend more time physically distancing for longer than the rest of the general population. Sadly, this isolation can have major repercussions.

A recent study showed that social disconnection puts older adults at greater risk of depression and anxiety, and can even lead to health problems such as cognitive decline and heart disease. People with strong social bonds are 50 per cent less likely to suffer negative effects from isolation than those who have fewer social connections.

Yet there is a gap when it comes to access to technology.

According to Stats Canada, roughly 30 per cent of the senior population do not use the Internet. Of those who do have internet, many don’t have strong enough digital literacy skills to use tools that may help to improve their mental health and well-being.

ABC Life Literacy Canada, a national not-for-profit literacy organization, offers a suite of free resources aimed at adults who want to improve their digital literacy skills. Through two of its programs – Youth Teaching Adults and ABC Internet Matters – anyone can access a wide variety of downloadable tools, resources and lesson plans on how to navigate the World Wide Web.

Resources range from tools such as how to stay safe online by being able to identify spam emails or set strong passwords to downloading and using apps such as Spotify, Facebook and YouTube.  

The resources are available to individuals as well as community groups who want to run workshops to support seniors in their community with valuable digital literacy skills.

To access free digital literacy resources, visit www.abclifeliteracy.ca.