GET ONLINE WEEK: Port Douglas community to tackle ‘digital anxiety’
BUSINESS FEATURE
‘Digital anxiety’ may not ring a bell if you’re part of the tech-savvy younger generation, but it’s a very real concern for some older community members who occasionally experience unease in this digital age due to the increasing presence of cybercrime and scams.
To address this issue, the Port Douglas Community Service Network is gearing up to host a Cyber Crime information session on Wednesday, October 11, in anticipation of national ‘Get Online Week 2023’ that supports digital access for all.
The session will be held at the Port Douglas Neighbourhood centre with the Online Safety session presented by IDCARE, a national identity and cyber support service. It will offer valuable insights into online safety and security, especially relevant in today’s landscape of scams and identity theft.
The session is open to everyone and underscores the Port Douglas Community Service Network’s commitment to empowering and safeguarding our local community.
Christine Gilewicz, Community Development Worker at the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre, emphasised the critical nature of online protection.
“While I consider myself fairly tech-savvy, I’m genuinely excited about the upcoming session,” Ms Gilewicz said.
“The rise in cybercrime and scams is concerning and keeps evolving. I recently helped a scam victim who lost a substantial amount of money.
“In a more personal context, my 82-year-old mum recently experienced a distressing incident with a fake Facebook profile using her photo, which left her in a panic. Although banks are becoming more proactive in offering resources, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and to learn how to protect ourselves.
“With the Cyber Crime information session we aim to provide information and assurance without causing undue anxiety so people can enjoy their technology without fear.”
Both the Cyber Crime information session and 'app rap' session are free and take place at the Port Douglas Neighbourhood Centre. For more info, click here.
More about the session
Following the Cyber Crime information session, scheduled to commence at 11.00am, people will have the chance to learn how to make the most of popular apps like Pinterest, Taste, and Gumtree.
The ‘app rap’ session at 2.00pm will be led by Jill Todd, a local guru in digital literacy and online safety.
Ms Todd, who previously worked in marketing and advertising before her move to Port Douglas, has since expanded her expertise into social media services, training, and volunteer network marketing within the Douglas Shire.
For additional details on scam prevention, please visit the Services Australia website here.
Thank you!
Newsport thanks its advertising partners for their support in the delivery of daily community news to the Douglas Shire. Public interest journalism is a fundamental part of every community.
Got a news tip? Let us know! Send your news tips or submit a letter to the editor here.
* Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport, its staff or affiliates. Reader comments on Newsport are moderated before publication to promote valuable, civil, and healthy community debate. Visit our comment guidelines if your comment has not been approved for publication.
