Page 208 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 208
SILVER SURFERS STAY CONNECTED
Silver Surfers
Top Silver Surfers of 2015
The Silver Surfer Awards recognise the achievements of older people using technology and also
the volunteers who teach these skills. The awards attract hundreds of nominations each year.
The five categories for Silver Surfer Awards 2015 are:
New to IT Award (A person over the age of 50 who is new to technology and has overcome the challenges to
become an IT user)
Hobbies on the Net Award (An older person who uses the Internet to pursue their passion or hobby, or who uses
IT for communication and social networking)
Golden IT Award (An individual over the age of 80 who uses technology to enhance their life)
Silver Surfer Award (An older person who embraces the Internet or technology with a sense of fun and
adventure)
IT Tutor(s) of the Year Award (An individual or group who provides voluntary support to older learners)
Silver Surfers
The Silver Surfer Awards recognise the achievements of older people mastering new technologies and also the
volunteers who teach these skills.
The awards attract hundreds of nominations each year and while the focus of the event is on celebrating the
accomplishments of everyone who has been nominated, the awards are also about inspiring others.
“The majority of people aged 60 and over have never been online,” says Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and
Communications Justin Moran. “According to the National Digital Strategy only 3 per cent of people aged over 75 have
ever used the internet”.
“There is a growing digital divide emerging in Ireland and we’re worried that older people could be left behind. More and
more businesses are providing their services online. We’re seeing a real push from the banks to move people away from
the branches and towards internet banking, even if they are uncomfortable with it.
“So a huge part of these awards is about encouraging everyone to learn how to use their laptop, their iPad, their
smartphone, whatever it is that they want to focus on. Our Silver Surfers are showing that anyone, regardless of their time
of life, can always learn something new and use it in exciting ways.”
208 Active Retirement Ireland www.activeirl.ie
Silver Surfers
Top Silver Surfers of 2015
The Silver Surfer Awards recognise the achievements of older people using technology and also
the volunteers who teach these skills. The awards attract hundreds of nominations each year.
The five categories for Silver Surfer Awards 2015 are:
New to IT Award (A person over the age of 50 who is new to technology and has overcome the challenges to
become an IT user)
Hobbies on the Net Award (An older person who uses the Internet to pursue their passion or hobby, or who uses
IT for communication and social networking)
Golden IT Award (An individual over the age of 80 who uses technology to enhance their life)
Silver Surfer Award (An older person who embraces the Internet or technology with a sense of fun and
adventure)
IT Tutor(s) of the Year Award (An individual or group who provides voluntary support to older learners)
Silver Surfers
The Silver Surfer Awards recognise the achievements of older people mastering new technologies and also the
volunteers who teach these skills.
The awards attract hundreds of nominations each year and while the focus of the event is on celebrating the
accomplishments of everyone who has been nominated, the awards are also about inspiring others.
“The majority of people aged 60 and over have never been online,” says Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and
Communications Justin Moran. “According to the National Digital Strategy only 3 per cent of people aged over 75 have
ever used the internet”.
“There is a growing digital divide emerging in Ireland and we’re worried that older people could be left behind. More and
more businesses are providing their services online. We’re seeing a real push from the banks to move people away from
the branches and towards internet banking, even if they are uncomfortable with it.
“So a huge part of these awards is about encouraging everyone to learn how to use their laptop, their iPad, their
smartphone, whatever it is that they want to focus on. Our Silver Surfers are showing that anyone, regardless of their time
of life, can always learn something new and use it in exciting ways.”
208 Active Retirement Ireland www.activeirl.ie
